Miners bury Cowboys

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Blackfoot Miners dominate
Peigan Cowboys on Saturday night
C. Davis photo

In a devastating reversal of fortune, the Blackfoot Miners handed the Peigan Cowboys a decisive defeat on the evening of Saturday, January 7, in a game played at Pincher Creek's MCC arena.  The last time these two teams met, the bottom ranked Cowboys managed to beat the top ranked Siksika team (Cowboys bury Miners) by a score of 7-3.  When the dust had cleared on this weekend's game, it was Siksika 13, Cowboys 4.

Things went south right from the start for the Cowboys.  The Miners dominated from the first faceoff, demonstrating the speed and teamwork that has secured them a playoff spot in the Ranchland Hockey League's 2011/2012 season.  They seemed determined to regain face after their previous loss to the Cowboys.

Peigan Cowboys vs Blackfoot Miners, January 7, 2011
C. Davis photo

Ashford McMaster scored first for the Miners early in the first period, with 16:57 on the clock.  He got two more goals in the third period as well.  After this first goal, the Miners kept up their ferocious assault, and had six goals on the scoreboard by the 13 minute mark.  After the first five goals, which came in rapid succession, the Cowboys pulled #41, goalie Matt Sayler, only to see the number one goalie in the league, #31 Jeff Kaupp, beaten by the same onslaught. The Cowboys pulled it together enough to hold off any further scoring in the first period. Two of those first period goals were scored by Miners' Cory Giroux, the third-ranked scorer in the league.

The Cowboys rallied in the second period, with a goal by #25 Dan Bikman early in the period, another by him shorly thereafter. and another by #10 Byron Jackson later in the period.  The Miners managed two goals, giving the Cowboys the upper hand for the period but not closing the gap enough to make a major difference.

C. Davis photo

In the third period, the Miners again dominated, scoring five times on a dispirited  Cowboys team.  The only ray of sunshine for the home team was a goal by #9 Shay Prairie Chicken.

Asford McMaster (5th ranked scorer in the league), Devin Mitzner, Cory Giroux and RHL Player of the Month Mikey White Quills (also the second ranked scorer inthe league) made themselves invaluable to the Miners.  The team demonstrated speed, accuracy, great passing plays, and all around good teamwork in their victory.  Miners' Goalie #1 Garrett Smith was an unbeatable wall for much of the game, when he wasn't twiddling his thumbs waiting for some action to come his way.

The Miners racked up the penalties in this game, with #4 Robin Big Snake evicted from the game in the first period and 21 minutes in other penalties.  The Cowboys had only 8 minutes in penalties, with #6 Jay potts evicted from the game in the second period.  In actual fact there was much less rough stuff than we are used to seeing when these two teams meet.

The Miners have guaranteed their place in the playoffs, and have been at the top of the RHL standings all season.  They have three of the top five scorers in the league.

Cowboys Coach Tyrone Potts managed to keep a smile on his face after the game.
"They ended up going up 5 nothing right off the bat," he said.  "We just came out flat, too much holidays.  We can't get away with that with the best team in the league."

He did see a ray of hope in the way some of the game played out.  "We came back,  We won that second period 3 to 2, so we can compete with these guys.  It's just that first five minutes set us back, and we just couldn't catch up after that, and towards the end we just sort of gave up again. We had our chances, we were just about even on shots. They're a good skilled team and they took advantage."

Potts acknowledged the power of the Siksika team.  "They had intensity, they're good passers, that's why they only have one loss this year."  Lack of practice time continues to be a factor in team cohesion for the Cowboys. "We haven't had a chance to practice, most of theuse other teams get a chance to practice, but we're not as fortunate," said Potts.  In a previous interview he explained that the Cowboys' players were too far flung to gather for practices.

The Cowboys are sitting at the bottom of the RHL standings, with 3 wins and 7 losses, and must battle for a playoff spot.  They will get a chance to do just that next Friday evening when they travel to Brooks to face the Black Hawks.  Brooks is currently just above the Cowboys in the standings, with 3 wins and 5 losses.  A win for the Cowboys in this game could turn the tide for them.  "I'm pretty confident," said Potts.  "It's a key game for us.  We still have a couple of injuries like Aaron Thomas and Weston Omeasod, they're still hurt, they will be back next week."

Unofficial stars of the game:
#11 Ashford McMaster (Blackfoot Miners)
#25 Dan Bikman (Peigan Cowboys)
#1 Garret Smith (Blackfoot Miners)