Heartbreak for Senior Huskies as double-overtime game against Fort Macleod goes to a shootout

Sr. Huskies vs Fort Macleod Mustangs
T. Lucas photos and video

Toni Lucas and Chris Davis

Pincher Creek's Senior RHL Huskies are still looking for their first win after hosting the Fort Macleod Mustangs on Saturday evening, November 17.  A large crowd turned out for the game, and it was made obvious that the Huskies have plenty of hometown support.  In fact, that's one way the Huskies are ahead of the other three teams in the RHL.  An average of 210 people attended each of their last two home games, 45 more per game than their closest competitor for fans, Fort Macleod.


The Huskies scored first, when at the 15:17 mark in the first period #15 Mason Bond got one in, assisted by #7 Taylor Elliot and #19 Hayden Shackel.  Both teams were firing on all cylinders.  At the 11:05 mark Mustangs #16 Tyler Koyata tied it up 1-1, assisted by #11 Greg Schimanski.  With 5:06 left in the period Huskies #13 Devon Stultz scored, assisted by #5 Joey Gibboney and Captain #24 Dan Bikman.  The period closed out with the Huskies ahead 2-1.

The second period featured lots of back and forth action, and the hard hitting we've come to expect from RHL games, but neither team managed to capitalize on opportunities enough to score.

Taylor Elliott scored for the Huskies at the 14:38 mark of the third period, assisted by Dan Bikman, bringing the score to 3-1.  Then at the 9:26 mark Koyata scored again for the Mustangs, assisted this time by Schimanski and #2 Justin Donahue.  3-2.  The game looked to be in the bag for the Mustangs when Schimanski scored with only 11.5 seconds remaining on the clock, assisted by #27 Leo Lacourciere and #7 Kent Broere, tying it 3-3, and forcing the game into overtime.

Two overtime periods later the score remained tied at 3-3 and it was time for a good old fashioned shootout.  The Mustangs won the shootout by 2 goals to 1, and one of those goals seemed pretty questionable to the hometown fans, but it sufficed to give the game to Fort Macleod.

An undeniable thriller, and it was evident that the Huskies are really starting to gel as a team.  That first win seems to be elusive for them.  To be oh so very close! This loss had a sting to it.

Huskies Taylor Elliott is currently the overall top Rookie Leader of the Ranchland Hockey League, with 4 goals and 5 assists for 9 points in 4 games played.

On Saturday, November 24 the Huskies have an away game scheduled against Fort Macleod, to start at 8:30 pm.  They're scheduled to host the Lomond Lakers on Saturday, December 1 at the MCC arena in Pincher Creek, starting at 8:30 pm.