Atom 2 Chinooks defeat Warner in first round of playoffs

The Atom 2 Chinooks won their first playoff round series after defeating Warner's Sabres last weekend.  Word is the Chinooks will face Bow Island in the next round.

Atom 2 Chinooks vs Warner
C. Davis photos and video

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Pincher Creek's Atom 2 Chinooks defeated Warner's South Country Sabres in two straight games to win round 1 of the Spud League C division playoffs.

The first game of the best of three series was played in Warner on Friday, February 22 , and the Chinooks won 3-1.  According to Chinooks Coach Kayne Evans, this was the more exciting of the two games.

The Chinooks hosted the second game at the MCC arena the next day, February 23, winning that one by a convincing 7-3 margin.

Atom 2 Chinooks Captain Caleb Evans played a total of four games over the course of the weekend, after also helping the Atom 1 Chinooks in their playoff efforts as an associated player.  With William Johnson Jr. missing from their own roster, the Atom 2 Chinooks enlisted the help of associated player Cory Dyck of the Novice Chinooks, who performed quite admirably.

Game 2 of the series went down like this:

Peyton Poncelet of the Sabres scored the first goal of the game at the 15:54 mark, assisted by Shea Hathaway. Nico Charette of the Chinooks tied it up right after that at the 15:19 mark, assisted by Connor Stuckey.  That dynamic duo reversed it shortly after that when Stuckey scored at the 14:44 mark assisted by Charette.  The first period ended with the Chinooks ahead 2-1.

The first half of the second period saw some fast moving action but no score until the 12:54 mark when Caleb Evans took advantage of a scramble in front of the Sabres' net, tipping the puck in to bring the score to 3-1 Chinooks.  Charette and Stuckey got assists on that play.  Christopher Leblanc of the Chinooks broke away from the pack to score at the 10-54 mark, 4-1.  Abi Cryderman got the assist on that play.  At the 7:20 mark Zachary Heppler of the Sabres sent a Poncelet rebound home.  4-2.  Caleb Evans scored the final goal of the period with only 14 seconds left on the clock, knocking it in on a power play to bring it to 5-2. Stuckey and Beyonce Crowshoe got assists on that play.

 Abi Cryderman scored for the Chinooks at the 18:57 mark of the third period, assisted by Colton Red Young Man, 6-2 Chinooks.  The final Chinooks goal of the game came from Caleb Evans at the 12:54 mark, another rebound, assisted by Stuckey.  Another hat trick for Evans.  Peyton Poncelet scored once more for the Sabres at the 11:11 mark, assisted by Matthew Austin.

Final score: Atom 2 Chinooks 7, Sabres 3.

The Chinooks really worked as a team out there, with everybody seeming to pull their weight. They penned Warner into their own end for most of the game.  Warner's goalie worked hard, non-stop, but the odds were stacked against him.

 Connor Stuckey had a great game with 1 goal and 4 assists. Nico Charette had a great game with 1 goal and 3 assists. Captain Caleb Evans - hat trick and in there on every play.  Christopher Leblanc pulled out a big play midway, demonstrating his potential and a lot of growth.  Colton Red Young Man works hard out there, as does Abi Cryderman, Corbin Litchfield, Tim Jorgensen, and Beyonce Crowshoe. Tristen Blood was outstanding in the net this game.  A solid team.

The Atom 2 Chinooks move on to Spud League playoffs round 2 of 3. Next they will play either Taber or Irvine.  Stay tuned for details and upcoming game times.

"The funniest part of coaching our team, we never say barely anything to them before a game," said Chinooks Coach Kayne Evans.  "They are all very cerebral kids and you tell them five things to do and they way over think everything. Yesterday our pregame speech was 'keep moving your feet'... if you are moving it hurts a little less to get hit."