Sticks and Stones

Not a lot of action this past week but some really key games all the same. The Midget Avalanche facing off against the Cold Lake Ice in the second round of provincial round robins. The Ice and Avalanche know each other very well playing in the same tier of the North East League the last few years. So, naturally there can be a little bit of chirping back and forth and some rough stuff after the whistle on the ice. And as we all know midget games are always interesting to say the least.

The Avalanche are on the top of the Tier II league. The Ice are at the very bottom. Although the Ice do have some really talented players in the line up. The Avalanche knowing this may have psychologically thought they had this series in the bag and taken the first game a little lightly.

Game one was up in Cold Lake on Wednesday night and the boys found themselves down 6 -4 after 40 minutes. Jaden ‘Jet Stream’ Van Maarion leaving everyone else in his vapor trail scoring all of the first four goals for the Avalanche. A natural hat trick plus one to boot. It would be safe to say he has recovered from his groin injury.

The third period after a mild discussion in the dressing room I’m sure; the rest of the team finally woke up and realized that just maybe we better start taking the Ice seriously, the final score 8-6 for the Avalanche, giving them a two goal cushion.  Team captain Nick ‘Sparky’ Anderson, ‘King Cole’ Bendixen and Charlie ‘Chuckles’ Rogal all scoring in the third. Sparky with four assists, ‘Lightning Liam’ Ludlage with three assists, veteran forward Dusty Pankiw, and the unsung heroes on defense Evan ‘Batman’ Ockerman and Jace the ‘Stafford Streak’ with one helper each.

The second game held in Elk Point on the very next night the building was packed with fans in anticipation of a good close game. The boys once again looked a little sluggish to start the game and the Ice took  advantage of this scoring a goal early in the first period to make the series interesting closing the gap to one goal. Close to the end of the period. Hayden ‘Hot Wheels’ Ludlage finally opened the scoring for the Avalanche banging in  a nice one timer on the power play. The game with some very tight checking, the score one all after the first period.

The second period things starting to heat up and the penalty boxes starting to fill up. When the Avalanche scored one short handed by Hot Wheels the momentum swung their way after that. King Cole and Sparky adding goals in the second period, the score 4 to 1 for the Avalanche after forty minutes. The third period the Ice desperate now would out shoot the Avalanche adding two goals, but goalie Colton ‘Colt 45’ Van Maarion would shut the door late in the third period.  Dallas ‘Cowboy’ Bristow adding one in the third, the Avalanche winning the game 5-3 and the two game series by 4 goals. Three assists for the set up specialist Lightning Liam. No goals but still burning down the wing ‘Jet Stream’ with three assists. Doing some great two way play and checking, Dusty Pankiw with an assist as well.

Next up the Avalanche will meet CNN (Crows Nest North) who have been sitting and resting waiting in the weeds! Time and dates to be determined. Let’s do this!

The Atom Provincial D final tournament that Elk Point will be hosting is only three weeks and head coach Jeff Morgan has been preparing his troops for the Big Show. On Saturday the Atom Avalanche team played an exhibition game against a tier two team from Lloydminster. Our Atoms play in the tier three of the North East League so this was a very good test to bring the team up to speed. Everyone on the team stepped up their game and played very well; the final score 5-4 for Lloydminster. The game was tied at three goals apiece all the way until 1.20 left in the third period when the puck deflected off one of our defenseman and changed direction.  Goalie ‘Goodyear Charlie’ Lesyk was going south and the puck headed north, otherwise this game may have ended in a three all tie. The coaches pulled Goodyear Charlie with a minute left and Lloyd scored an empty netter to make it 5-3. Madden ‘Mad Dog’ Flamand with a hat trick scoring all three goals for the Avalanche. Kale ‘the Hawk’ Ockerman, Braylee ‘Little Willy’ Lesyk, and ‘Boe Dog’ St. George with the assists.

Some big happy birthdays going out this week. One to a very talented smooth skating defenseman on the Avalanche peewee team Brendon ‘Blueline’ Haesch. Another to my grandson, Bode ‘the Badger’ Bassett and my granddaughter Vienna Colbourne.