Bantam Chinooks continue undefeated streak with win over Coaldale

Bantam Chinooks vs Coaldale Cobras
C. Davis photos and video

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Going into Bantam game #20 of the Spud League 2012-2013 season, the Coaldale Cobras were the top ranked team with 4 wins and no losses, and Pincher Creek's Chinooks were sitting in third place, undefeated after 3 games.

Chinooks goalie #1 Jeremy Kretz

The Chinooks set out to change that ranking when they hosted the Cobras at Pincher Creek's Memorial Community Centre Arena on Saturday afternoon, November 3.

The Chinooks dominated the first period and much of the second, but fell apart a bit near the end of the third, particularly after a serious injury to Chinooks #2 Chaz Vance put a damper on their spirits and their offensive line.

In the first period the Chinooks led the play with all cylinders firing.  A minute and a half in, at the 18:31 mark, #28 Collin Lincez put them on the board, with an assist by #5 Keiran Douglas.  Onlookers were treated to a period of full-on back and forth hockey, with lots of action and few penalties.  Neither team managed to break through the other's defence until the 8:41 mark, when Coaldale's #3 Gradyn Van Diemen slipped one in, assisted by #11 Torrin Vaselenak, tying it up 1-1.  Not content with that, the Chinooks poured on the steam, shaking off a few hard hits along the way, and with 3:15 left in the period #19 Ethan Richards came through off a nice pass by #9 Nic Jordan.  At this point Coaldale was putting more effort into their checking while forgetting to keep an eye on the puck, and it cost them.  Chinooks #15 Sam Gerrand knocked one in with 6.6 seconds left in the period, assisted by Douglas.  The score was 3-1 Chinooks at the buzzer.

#15 Sam Gerrand with the puck

In the second period Chinooks goalie #1 Jeremy Kretz put on another brilliant performance, knowing where the puck was at all times, and seemingly prescient about where it was going next.  In short, he was a wall the Coaldale offence couldn't break through, particularly with the Chinooks defence all over it every time as well.  The Chinooks scored two unanswered goals in the second. The first was by #14 Bryce Conley, assisted by #11 Jessen Luco, at 16:53 on the clock.  Sam Gerrand got his second goal of the game at the 14:41 mark, assisted by #2 Chaz Vance, who was in position like clockwork every time.  The Chinooks seemed to tire a bit after this, and Kretz got a whole lot busier for a bit, successfully denying Coaldale any goals in the period.  At the buzzer it was 5-1 Chinooks.

The third period was mostly uneventful until the 16:08 mark, when Sam Gerrand scored his third goal of the game, one that looked much like his goal in the second period, again ably assisted by Chaz Vance.  The hat trick went to Gerrand, but the interplay between the two of them is really a slick thing to see.  A powerful combination.

Coaldale managed to get a second goal on the board with 7:17 left in the game, this time an unassisted goal by Vaselenak, bringing the score to 6-2 for the Chinooks.  Chaz Vance was in position to the side of the Coaldale net when he was bowled over hard.  It seems likely he will be out for a while.  His injury was clearly disheartening for his teammates.  Coaldale scored twice more, once with 5:39 remaining, and once with 1:43 remaining, by #2 Chase Honess and #17 Ryan Cajka respectively.  #14 Tristan Pierson got assists on both of those plays, and Vaselenak got an assist on what proved to be the last goal of the game.  Coaldale pulled their goalie for the last minute or so of play, which almost led to another goal for the Chinooks, but that was denied.

Final score: Chinooks 6, Coaldale 4.

In general, this was a high energy, low penalty, engagingly well played game of hockey.  The Chinooks and the Cobras are scheduled to meet again in Coaldale on December 29.  Highly recommended.

The Bantam Chinooks are now undefeated in 4, but injuries are definitely taking a toll on the team.

The Bantam Chinooks are scheduled to play Taber 1 at the MCC Arena in Pincher Creek on November 10 at 3:45 pm.

You can see their season schedule by clicking here.