A narrow loss and a tie for Peewee Chinooks

Novice Chinooks vs Raymond RaidersC. Davis photo

Chris Davis, Sports
Photos C. Davis and L. Lybbert, videos C. Davis

Pincher Creek's Peewee Chinooks hosted Raymond's Raiders at the MCC arena on Saturday November 23.  The Raiders won by one point, 7-6 after a game that was full on until the last seconds.  On Sunday November 24 the Chinooks travelled to Picture Butte where they took on the Raiders 2 team.  That game played to a 3-3 draw.

Lloyd Lybbert photo

Chinooks #14 Michael Kleinhans-Kaupp got his team off to a good start during Saturday's game, lobbing in a goal at the 16:36 mark of the first period, assisted by #20 Nelz Vance (who's been putting in a lot of time reffing games at the MCC arena as well).

Raymond's #99 Jace Edwards tied it up 1-1 unassisted with a breakaway near the halfway mark of the period.

These two teams were very well matched, playing fast and intelligent hockey throughout.  Lots of back and forth, but the score remained tied at the end of the period.

The exciting pace of play continued in the second.  At 16:23 remaining Chinooks #19 Calim Yellow Face tapped in a rebound, assisted by #26 Abi Cryderman. 2-1 Chinooks.

Again both teams played full out, with the advantage first going to the Chinooks when Kleinhans-Kaupp scored his second goal of the game, this time unassisted.  3-1 Chinooks.

The Raiders blistered back, and with 7:52 remaining made it 3-2 with a goal by #22 Rylen Roersma, assisted by #27 Daxon Helgerson.  Those two reversed roles at the 4:21 mark when Helgerson scored assisted by Roersma to tie it up 3-3.

The second period was really turning into an exciting romp.  With 4:21 remaining the Raiders pulled ahead 4-3 when their Captain #5 Reuben Baldry scored assisted by #2 Janx Zaremba.

Then the Chinooks tied it 4-4 with 3:37 remaining in the period when #40 Ethan Grier scored, assisted by Kleinhans-Kaupp and Vance.

With only 53 seconds remaining in the period Roersma scored again for the Raiders, and the period ended with them ahead 5-4.

It was an incredibly dramatic game.  Both teams seemed to understand the power of teamwork.  The puck went to the teammate with the clearest opportunity, and the glory was shared.

The high energy continued in the third period.  Abi Cryderman scored for the Chinooks to tie it 5-5 about four minutes in, assisted by Nelz Vance.

Then Raiders #33 Jayden Edwards scored, assisted by Captain Baldry.  6-5 Raiders.  The Raiders seemingly cemented that lead with another goal by Helgerson with only 1:28 remaining in the game, assisted by Roersma.

7-5 Raiders.  To the Chinooks' credit they weren't going to go quietly, and with just 47 seconds left Nelz Vance popped one in, assisted by Kleinhans-Kaupp, to make it 7-6, still in the Raiders' favour, which is where it stood at the final buzzer.

This game rivaled the earlier Novice game at the MCC arena for drama, flair, and visible teamwork between two equally matched rivals.  A real barnburner.

The Peewee Chinooks have a home game scheduled against the Scotiabank Threat this coming Sunday December 1 at the Memorial Community Centre arena, starting at 1:00 pm.