RHL Huskies whomp Lomond

Alexandra Morgan sings 'O Canada' at start of Huskies/Lakers game

Chris Davis story/photos/video

Pincher Creek's RHL Huskies hosted Lomond's Lakers for game two of a best-of-five round one Ranchland Hockey League playoff series, ultimately defeating the Lakers 8-3 in front of a jubilant hometown crowd.

Scoring for the Lakers were David Foord, Captain Josh Wiest, and Cam Hurt.  Maverick Blair picked up two assists and Clay Turcato also picked up an assist.

The Huskies spread their scoring around, with goals coming from Lance Ridley, Austin Beck, Darren Andro, Brett Tarcon, Alex Elliott, Hayden Shackel, Mason Bond, and Randy Wittkopf.  Assists went to Joey Gibboney, Captain Sam Quinlan, Brett Tarcon, Hayden Shackel, Jeremy Davidson, Darren Kay,  and two for Matthew Hammel.

The game was remarkably short on penalties, with one minor for the Lakers in the first and two minors for the Huskies in the third.

"Alright, who stole my net??"

Huskies head coach Greg Shackel was obviously pleased with the win.  "They played well, they played 60 minutes today, and they shot the puck," he said.  "Anytime you shoot the puck towards the net (regularly), you're going to score.  The last 5 games they played well.  Team effort, they've bought into the systems.  It took them all year, but they bought into it." 

"Four lines, they played the whole game, and they forechecked well.  Timely goal tending."

"They stuck together, stuck up for each other, and they played well."

As for the first game of the series, in Lomond, Shackel explained it this way: "We were up 3 - 0, and then second period we took some penalties and they got four power play goals, and one short handed.  They had a 5 on 3, they scored on that, then they scored on a 4 on 3.  They work the puck really well, if you give them a chance."

The Huskies travel to Lomond on Friday evening for game three of the series, puck drop at 8:30 pm, and then will host the Lakers for game four of the series on Saturday evening March 1 at the MCC arena in Pincher Creek. Puck drops at 8:30. It could be the last time you get to see this season's Huskies at home, but I wouldn't bank on it.

In the other RHL first round playoff series, Nanton's Palominos defeated Fort Macleod's Mustangs 6-1 on February 21 and 4-0 the next day, making it likely the winner of the Huskies/Lakers series will face the Palominos in the final playoff series.  The top RHL team will go to Morinville for the 2013-2014 Senior Men's Provincials, to be held March 28-30.