SPORTSHOUND: Family Affair

Tales from the Timebox: February 22nd, 2022

U7 Avalanche

The Family Day weekend was certainly true to its name when the whole family came out to watch the U7’s play against the Dewberry Colts, right here at the A.G. Ross Arena, early Saturday morning. The moms, dads, grandparents, aunts and uncles were all out of bed bright and early to watch their little stars perform. The coaching staff, Devin Moneta, Daniel Brousseau and Jeff Oracheski have done a terrific job from the beginning of the season teaching skills to these youngsters. At one time when the U7 played on the full ice, there was an unwritten rule that three goals was the maximum any player could score. Then they had to start passing. I realize that wouldn’t work as well now that we have half ice and goals are scored at lot easier. Some players would get that many on their first shift. But as long as the more advanced players, take a look around and try to set up some of the less skilled skaters once they have scored a bunch, then it’s all good.

After watching this game, I believe the coaching staff has done a great job of reminding the veteran players to do this. I know the Brousseau Brothers, 6 year old Cohen ‘Big Horn’ and 4 year old Gavin ‘the Badger’ love to score goals and have no problem racking up a bunch of them. But they also like to pass the puck a lot for sure. Wayne Gretzky used to tell reporters he got more satisfaction when he set up his linemates to score than scoring himself. Perfect example was on Saturday when Cohen ‘Big Horn’ rushed to the net and instead of shooting, he did a beautiful drop pass to ‘Awesome Lawson’ Moneta who hammered home a one timer. First year player Awesome Lawson had numerous good chances. Talented Landon ‘Lights Out’ St. Arnault was another good example of one who had his shares of goals, including a real beauty on a wrap around. Then he started setting up the little guys. Just like the beauty he passed to Jaxtyn ‘Jackhammer’ Krankowski who found the back of the net. Aiden ‘Sweet Pea’ had a few good looks and didn’t quite score. But she played a strong game on defense and came up with an awesome toe save when it was her turn between the pipes. Kenzie ‘Cookie’ Leathem was doing some terrific forechecking creating turnovers. She is credited with a few assists. Another first year player, Lynden ‘Lucky’ Orancheski was sniffing around the doorstep all game and almost buried a few.

U9 Avalanche

The U9 team hit the ice right after at 10am Saturday morning playing against the Glendon Comets. Tor the ‘Tornado’ Aarbo who celebrated his 8th birthday that day, scored a bucket full of goals. Jase the ‘Jackal’ Malo has a killer instinct. He just loves to come down the wing and pick the top corner right over the goalie’s shoulder and under the bar. He did it a dozen or so times. Aspyn ‘Machine Gun’ Kelly , Grayson ‘Big Bang’ Koppang and Jadyn ‘the Shark’ Sakowsky all credited with a couple of goals and assists each. Winding up behind his own net, ‘General Lee’ Barstad would barrel down the right wing then take a shot on net or often pass it off. He’s becoming a very good set-up man and made a number of great long bomb passes getting himself a few assists. ‘Jumbo Jay’ Large with a couple of assists as well, including setting up the ‘Machine Gun Kelly’ for one. Charlie ‘Chickadee’ Davis and ‘Commander’ Thomas Morris doing a great job of back checking helping out their goaltender Stetson ‘Shack’ Reynolds.

U11 Avalanche

The U 11 team played a strong defensive game up in Bonnyville on Friday night losing 3 to 1. This is the same Pontiac’s team, that the Avalanche had lost to by 6 or 7 goals, only one week before. Quite an improvement I would have to say. Jaxon ‘Magic’ Marcoux with the Avalanche goal.

On Saturday the U11 team travelled to Mallaig. Avalanche goalie ‘Major Tom’ Melnyk was peppered with 30 shots but stood his ground . Everyone on the team put in a solid effort and played their hearts out. The final 4 to 1 in favor of the Monarchs . Hudson ‘the Bull’ Brousseau scoring the only Avalanche goal assisted by William ‘Billy Bob’ Ballas.

U13 Avalanche

The U13 team took a rare weekend off from hockey. Some of them took advantage of this and went skiing up at Kinasoo Ridge in Cold Lake. Its always good to try other sports other than hockey.

U15 Avalanche

The U15 ended the regular season on a good note, finishing with two wins over the weekend. On Saturday they travelled to Kitscoty winning that one 5 to 2. Tray ‘Scooby Doo’ Thomas- Calliou and Clayton ‘Cha Ching’ Toews with two goals each. Brendon ‘Blue Line’ Haesch with a goal. Two assists for team captain Kaleb ‘Formula One’ Flamand. ‘Top Gunner’ Crawford, ‘Bo Diddley’ Fontaine, and Quinton ‘Rampage’ Quinney- Dumont with one assist each.

Then on the bitter cold Sunday afternoon here at home, the Avalanche put the Cold Lake Ice, on ice with a 7 to zip win. Goalie Alex ‘Plywood’ Patterson patching up all the cracks with the shut out. Sniper ‘Top Gunner’ with two goals and an assist. Formula One burning down the track with a couple of goals. Madden ‘Mad Dog’ Flamand getting off his leash with a goal and an assist. Gavin ‘Green Light’ Kadutski and Scooby Doo with one goal each. Blue Line, Bo Diddley, Kaysen ‘Dynamite’ DeMossiac and Cha Ching all helping the cause with an assist. This coming weekend the U15 will start their playoffs against Provost. Provost is also the host for the Tier III provincials so there will be a lot on the line to say the least.

U18 Avalanche

A busy three game weekend for the U 18 team who travelled up to Cold Lake Friday night coming home with two points in a 6 to 3 win. Two goals for Logan ‘Leo’ Lemay. The team captain ‘Mick Jager’ Fontaine with two goals and an assist. Ceajay ‘Quickdraw’ Quinney with a goal and an assist. ‘Kamikaze Kid’ Kade Fontaine with a goal. Timmy John Jr. and Owen ‘Fonzie’ Fontaine with two assists each.

On Saturday afternoon,the U 18 played in Kitscoty against the Knights, who are one of the top teams in the league, losing this one 7 to 2. Mick Jager with a goal and an assist. Sam ‘Spiderman’ Rogal with a goal. Leo and ‘Saint Nic’ Penner each with a helper.

On Sunday, at home the Avalanche hosted Wainwright losing this one by a close 5 to 3 score. The fifth Bison goal was scored into an empty net when the Avalanche pulled their goalie, Vanden ‘the Monster’ Moroziuk for the extra attacker. The Avalanche were on the power play at the time, so it was a six on four but it backfired. Sometime it works and other times it doesn’t, but what the heck, trying to tie the game in the final minute is the right call. Especially since all three of the Avalanche goals were already scored on the power play. Kamikaze Kid with a goal and an assist. Seth ‘Motorman’ Morton and Fonzie with one goal each. Leo and Saint Nic with the assists. One more league game next weekend and then the Avalanche will begin the playoffs.