Pincher Creek hockey report, October 21, 2013

Peewee Chinooks vs Picture Butte Blades
C. Davis photo

• Spud League news
• Picture Butte Blades defeat Peewee Chinooks in exhibition thriller
• Atom Chinooks host Foremost Flyers
• Upcoming Home Hockey Games at Pincher Creek's MCC Arena
• Hey Ref!

Spud League news

The 2013-2014 Season seeding round for Spud League Novice and Atom Divisions has commenced,  with all seeding games to be completed by November 3.  Regular Season games commence October 20 for Spud League Pee Wee, Bantam, and Midget Divisions.

Picture Butte Blades defeat Peewee Chinooks in exhibition thriller

Peewee Chinooks vs Picture Butte Blades
C. Davis photos and video

The first thing I have to say about the Peewee exhibition game between Picture Butte and the Chinooks is this:

Great game!

Those in attendance at Pincher Creek's MCC arena on Sunday October 20 were treated to an evenly matched high speed non-stop thriller. Despite constant back and forth action, neither team scored a goal until 5 minutes 45 seconds into the third period, when the Blades broke the impasse.  It was downhill after that for the Chinooks, as the Blades dominated much of the third, scoring three more times, the last one an empty-netter with 1.7 seconds left in the game, to win it 4-0.

What looked like a goal for the Blades in the second period was discounted because they got a tripping penalty on the play.

Chinooks goalie Wes Krampe did an outstanding job, making some big saves for a 90% average.  He faced 42 shots, compared to 26 for his Blades counterpart (unofficial). Special thanks to his mom Jamie McMullen for keeping track of shots on net.

The Blades deserved their win, they're a tight team, very assured on the ice and assertive at keeping the puck in their opponent's end.  They pass well, they skate well, and they demonstrated some great teamwork out there, over and over again.  They were consistent, they did a good job of setting up opportunity after opportunity, and it paid off for them.

Our Chinooks were terrific out there too, playing their first game of the year. This was one of those games where the score definitely didn't tell the whole story.  A few near misses made a lot of difference in this one.  They played with heart and enthusiasm, and I predict playing a few more games together is going to allow this team to gel into something very special.

Peewee Chinooks Head Coach Brandon Yellow Wings is new to the team this year, as are several players from Fort Macleod.  "There was no team in Fort Macleod," he explained, "They didn't have enough players to make a peewee team so we threw our teams together here.  They were shorthanded here too."   There are 15 players on the roster this season.

"We were shorthanded for most of the game, but they hung in there.  The score doesn't really show how much they tried."

Coach Yellow Wings has a few plans for sharpening up the team before the regular season begins next month.  "Right now we're just doing exhibition games. We're going to work on our positioning."

"We're going to try and get in as many exhibition games as we can, work on our plays and go from there."

"We even have some guys that have never skated before.  We're going to work on everybody, and get everybody playing as a team.  The main thing is them having fun and being safe out there. That's our philosophy."

Atom Chinooks host Foremost Flyers

Logan Deley takes a shot
Lloyd Lybbert photo

Playing a consistent game worked in the Atom Foremost Flyers' favor during a seeding game hosted by Pincher Creek's Chinooks at the Memorial Community Centre arena on Saturday, October 19. Both teams came out ready to play in the first period, but Foremost made the most of their scoring opportunities and were ahead 3-1 by the end of the period.  The Chinooks had some trouble getting it together in the second, but still managed to score 1 to the Flyers' 2 goals, putting the Flyers well ahead 5-2 at the buzzer.  The Chinooks came out determined to play in the third, and we got to see more of what this team is going to be capable of.  They outscored the Flyers 3-2 in the third, making for a final score of 7-5 for the Flyers.

Flyers' #9 Gerret Harty earned a hat-trick and got an assist. Dacey Timmons scored twice.  Flyers #7 Jaxon Pahl scored a goal and got two assists.  The other Flyers goal came from Domonic Wyllie.  The Chinooks spread the scoring and assists around.  Scoring for the Chinook were Cade Ames, Riley Potts, Rylan Bruns,  Connor Stuckey, and Logan Deley.  Stuckey and Deley each got assists on the other's goals.  Also getting assists were Nico Charette and Cory Dyck.  Tristen Blood was the goalie,  doing a solid job against a lot of shots on net.

Face-off
Lloyd Lybbert photo

Chinooks Head Coach Jode Deley was happy with his team "They did phenomenal," he said.  "Excellent for the first game of the season."

"In the second period we kind of slacked off a bit, we didn't put the pressure on we needed to.  First and third helped make up for the second.

Tristen Blood in net
L. Lybbert photo

Deley has been coaching for six years and values the teamwork, growth, and joy of his athletes, over and above what's on the score clock.

The Atom Chinooks are usually divided into two team, but not this season.  "Usually we tier, this year we're combined.  We're sitting at 19 players, so not quite enough for two teams," Deley explained.  "It works out well because it offers a little bit of freedom for the parents and the kids."

The Atom Chinooks have two seeding games next weekend.  The first is an away game on Saturday, and the second is a home game on Sunday October 27 against the Crowsnest Thunder.

Senior Huskies Home Opener October 26

The RHL Huskies will be having their Home Opener against Fort Macleod on Saturday October 26 at the MCC Arena, starting at 8:00 pm. They're planning a Shoot to Win Challenge during the second intermission.

Admission is free for minor hockey players wearing their team jerseys (or other identifiers).

Hey Ref!!

Before you holler at the refs this season, keep one thing in mind: the sport needs them and they're an endangered species.  Just before the reffing clinic held on Saturday I chatted with a veteran ref, who told me that after years of donning the stripes the insults and hollering just rolls off his back, but for newer refs the constant abuse can be daunting.  A meagre few showed up for the clinic, and that's probably going to make for some real challenges this season for organizers who will likely have to scramble to make sure games are officiated, with the word 'adequately' diminishing in the  rear view.

Upcoming Home Hockey Games at Pincher Creek's MCC Arena*

Friday, October 25
8:00 pm - Midget Huskies vs Bow Island Rebels

Saturday, October 26
9:30 am - Novice Chinooks vs Foremost Flyers
8:00 pm - RHL Huskies vs Fort Macleod
5:45 pm - Midget Huskies away* game at the Coaldale Sportsplex

Sunday, October 27
12:30 pm - Atom Chinooks vs Crowsnest Thunder

Related links:
Spud League
Pincher Creek Minor Hockey
Pincher Creek Senior Huskies