Midget Huskies kickstart tourney with big win over Elk Valley

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Huskies vs Elk Valley

Pincher Creek's Midget Huskies faced Elk Valley at the MCC Arena in the first game of a three day Midget tournament on Friday evening.

The Huskies were on fire right from the first faceoff.  #21 Michael Roy scored early in the first period, just over a minute and a half into the game.  It was the first of four first period goals for the Huskies, with two scored by the breakaway kid #16 Brett Tarcon, and a beauty by #23 Ryan Marshall with only 4.4 seconds left on the clock.  The Elk Valley team played well, particularly considering this was only their 8th game of the season, but they were cleary outplayed by the faster, slicker Pincher Creek team.

C. Davis photos

The second period started with a morale building goal by Elk Valley's #4 Tyler Wray off the first faceoff, 25 seconds into the game.  Tarcon knocked another one in for the Huskies a minute and a half later.  Elk Valley's #Jacob Pare responded with a goal just over a minute later, and the score stood at 5-2.  The rowdy factor got out of hand at about that point, culmintating in a full on brawl in front of, over, and through the Huskies net.  That resulted in two players being ejected from the rink for Game Misconduct, Huskies #27 Lane Crawford and #4 Tyler Wray.  Wray had already warmed the penalty bench three times before this incident.  His departure left a big hole in the Elk Valley offence.  After the dust had settled one Huskies and two Elk Valley players were sent to the penalty box, on top of the expulsions.  The game came to a stand-still while the referees cooled the situation.  Once play resumed, the Huskies scored twice, with a goal each by #11 Calahan Bruder and Brett Tarcon.  The rough stuff started up again near the end of the period, resulting in several penalties for both teams, but the coaches put the kibosh on it quick.

The Huskies were again the dominant team in the third period.  Tarcon scored off the first faceoff.  Elk Valley's Josh Pare knocked one in with 13:16 left on the clock.  Huskies #18 Chase Tymchyna answered that one with one of his own with 8:07 on the clock.  Elk Valley's #8 Cody Myles had his turn with 7:49 on the clock, but by then it was obvious that his team wasn't going to catch up.  Huskies #16 Brett Tarcon scored once more, making a grand total of 6 goals and 2 assists for him, and closing the door on the game with 5:59 on the clock.  After that the Huskies held the line, and harrassed the Elk Valley net.

C. Davis photo

The Huskies secret?  Lots of hustle, good management, terrific teamwork, superior skating skills, a solid passing game, and a fiercely determined offence, and stellar goaltending.  These guys are one of the very best teams out there, and very entertaining to watch.

Final score: Huskies 11, Elk Valley 4.

The Huskies play again today, Saturday, January 14 against Creston.  Game time is 4:30 pm.
Sunday's schedule will be decided by the outcomes of Friday and Saturday's games.

MIDGET TOURNAMENT

Saturday Schedule
 9:00 am:  Sundre vs Medicine Hat
11:30 am:  Creston vs Elk Valley
 2:00 pm:  Medicine Hat vs Cranbrook
 4:30 pm:  Pincher Creek vs Creston
 7:00 pm:  Cranbrook vs Sundre

Sunday Schedule
 8:00 am:  3rd Pool A vs 3rd Pool B
10:30 am:  2nd Pool A vs 2nd Pool B
 1:00 pm:  1st Pool A vs 1st Pool B