Pee Wee Chinooks win and lose in double-overtime thriller

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Huskies vs Sabres
C. Davis photo

Pincher Creek's Pee Wee Chinooks hockey team hosted the Vauxhall Sabres at the MCC Arena on Tuesday evening, February 21, for the second of a two-game Pee Wee "C" Provincial contest.  The Chinooks had been bested in Vauxhall 4-2 in the first game, and needed to win by three points in this game.  A large crowd of supporters came out for this one, with both teams well represented in the stands.

Pincher Creek Pee Wee Huskies (in white) battling the Vauxhall Sabres
C. Davis photo

These two Spud League teams have been terrific to watch whenever they've played each other this season.  Very evenly matched, it's almost always a toss-up as to which one will prevail on any given night, in any given period.

C. Davis photo

Vauxhall came out strong in the first period, hitting hard and maintaining their lines.  Both goalies were under a lot of pressure, as the shots kept coming, with the play moving rapidly back and forth. Chinooks Captain #9 Nic Jordan gave the hometown fans something to cheer about when he made one of his trademark  determined rushes at the net, sinking the first goal of the game unassisted with 10:53 remaining in the period.    Vauxhall #14 Owen Birch tied it up less than a minute later, with an assist from #5 Hayden Mark.  Neither team got the advantage for the remainder of the period, despite some close efforts on both sides.  Simply put, the goaltending by both Chinooks #30 Matthew Duncan and Sabres #1 Blaise Unruh was spectacular, throughout the game.

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In the second period the Sabres made the most of a lucky break just after the puck-drop when #15 Brayden Stokes intercepted a misplaced Chinooks pass and hustled to put the puck into the net, unassisted, putting Vauxhall ahead 2-1.  Near the halfway mark in the period Chinooks #11 Jesson Luco tied it up, assisted by #4 Tyson Goodreau.  With 5:04 left in the period the Sabres pulled ahead again with a goal from Team Captain #9 Brent Mack, assisted by #12 Trey Broderson.    Again another fine display by both goalies kept the scoring opportunities to a minimum.

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Going into the third period Vauxhall was ahead 3-2.  What ensued was another period of virtually deadlocked hockey.  The fans on both sides of the arena were in the grips of hockey fever as attempt after attempt failed to change the score.  Finally, with 7:29 left on the clock Nic Jordan pulled through again for his team, tying it up 3-3 after a serious  power-play offensive effort, assisted by Jessen Luco.  The Chinooks weren't done with that either.  #2 Chaz Vance scored an unassisted beauty with 3:20 on the clock, and at the 2:02 mark he assisted Ethan Richards, the final goal of the period.

So, Chinooks win the game 5-3.

However, because this was a points-based best of two Provincial match, and because the Sabres won the first game by a two point margin, it wasn't over yet.  Sudden death overtime would decide who was going forward to Provincials.

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At this point the fans were about as excited as you can get, having witnessed 60 minutes of all-out, skilled hockey from these athletes.

The first ten minutes of overtime was inconclusive.  Lots of exciting hockey, no goal.

After a short break and a Zamboni run, the two teams came out to face each other again, obviously tired from the struggle, and yet still in top form.

On this day, it was to be Vauxhall's turn to triumph.  47 seconds into the period Sabres Captain Brent Mack    scored his second goal of the game, the critical goal of the day, assisted by #17 Kevin Turner.

Chinooks, you played an incredible game.  Props to Goalie Matthew Duncan too, great game.  Vauxhall, congratulations.   Both teams should be very proud. That was some terrific hockey.

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