Peewee Chinooks kick off season with an 8-5 win over Bulldogs

Peewee Chinooks vs Bulldogs
C. Davis photos and video

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Pincher Creek's Peewee Chinooks began their 2013-2014 regular season with an 8-5 win over Irvine's Bulldogs in a game that played to a small but enthusiastic hometown crowd at the MCC arena on Saturday afternoon, November 2.

Chinooks #40 Ethan Grier scored first, only 54 seconds into the game, with assists going to Brandi Yellow Wings and Easton Fitzpatrick.  That was answered at the 14:14 mark by Bulldogs #15 Thomas Davey, who scored unassisted.  The Bulldogs appeared to have an offensive edge for much of the period, passing very well throughout the game in fact, but the Chinooks were doing better than holding their own out there.

With 6:05 remaining in the period Chinooks #8 Sam Jordan put it in unassisted, bringing the score to 2-1 in the Chinooks' favor.

That's where it stayed for the rest of the first, largely due to some solid goaltending on both sides of the pond, from Chinooks #1 Wes Krampe and Bulldogs #33 TJ Hudson.  Those two were troopers throughout the game.

Second period, boom.  Getting too rambunctious meant for a brisk biz in the penalty boxes, particularly from folks in Chinooks jerseys.  Shorthanded seemed to be working for the Chinooks though, they upped their game considerably, and at the 13:56 mark Chinooks #13 Thunder Crowshoe scored a short handed goal off an Ethan Grier rebound (Grier getting an assist), to put the Chinooks ahead 3-1.

The hometown crowd expressed their pleasure.  Then at the 11:36 mark it was Chinooks #15 Trinity Tanner's turn, scoring with an assist going to Sam Jordan.  Those two are having a great season so far, very dependable, up many notches in skill since this time last year.

At 10:31 remaining in the second Bulldogs #2 Levi Lennox scored unassisted, a determined player that one, to bring the score to 4-2.    It was very rock and roll out there, good hockey.  Lots of back and forth.  Solid passing plays.  Tuned in defences.  At 5:47 remaining Ethan Grier scored his second goal for the Chinooks, this time assisted by Sam Jordan.  5-2.

At 4:13 remaining Chinooks #2 Easton Fitzpatrick sunk his own rebound, a lightning fast play that one, bringing it to 6-2 Chinooks.  Fitzpatrick was totally tuned in on that one, one of THE plays of the weekend at the Pincher rink.

That's where it stayed until the end of the second.

The Bulldogs were not laying down quietly, coming out strong in the third, keeping Krampe on his toes (sometimes literally) in the Chinooks net. At the 14:05 mark the pressure paid off for the Bulldogs when #17 Ryan McNaughton scored for them, assisted by Thomas Davey.  6-3.

At the  At the 12:53 mark the Chinooks added some icing to their already strong lead when #14 Michael Kleinhans-Kaupp lobbed one in, assisted by #17 Elias Smith and #5 Brandi Yellow Wings.  Keep an eye on that line, it's got some style.

 7-3 Chinooks.  Bulldogs still pushing hard.  No advantage for a long time, lots of near misses, lots of back and forth, both teams playing it out full steam.  At only 2:44 remaining Bulldogs #7 Cage Erikson scored, assisted by #14 Reece Barton.  7-4.  Both teams still full-on.

At 2:06 remaining Barton scored one of his own, assisted by #5 Syd Norquay.  7-5, Bulldogs back in it.  However, with only 1:39 remaining Ethan Grier scored one more for the Chinooks, this time unassisted after a period of near misses for him.

Final score Chinooks 8, Bulldogs 5

Let's talk about Ethan Grier for a moment here.  First goal of the game.  Last goal of the game.  A goal very close to right in the middle.  A hat trick and an assist.  #40 is having a great season already.

 The Bulldogs outshot the Chinooks 43 - 30 (unofficial).   Chinooks goalie Wes Krampe had an 88 save percentage, a game changing performance from him.

Exciting hockey from both teams throughout.