RHL - Palominos defeat Huskies

Huskies vs Palominos
Lloyd Lybbert photos/C. Davis videos

Chris Davis

The RHL Huskies were defeated 4-2 by Nanton's Palominos on Saturday evening January 15 at Pincher Creek's MCC arena.


The Huskies scored first, and were gaining momentum before a brawl, another smaller brawl, and some significant ejections and penalties changed the game somewhat.

This was the Huskies' first home game of the year, and more significantly was their first home game in over two months since before teammate Taylor Elliott passed away in early December last year.

This season's leaner, younger leaning Huskies team has been gelling into a unit, improving all season, proving they can play at this very physical level, but have so far secured only one win all season, that when they defeated the Palominos 10-7 in November.

Otis Potts of the Huskies scored the first goal of the game 4:50 into the first period, assisted by Hayden Shackel.  That was the only goal of the period. A feisty ruckus exploded just past the halfway mark of the period. Resulting from that Joseph Gibboney of the Huskies and Matt Loiseau of the Palominos each received a 10 minute game misconduct and a 5 minute major.   Kevin Martin of the Palominos also got a minor penalty for roughing.

5:46 into the second period Steve McMasters of the Palominos tied the score 1-1, assisted by Kevin Martin  A breakout powerplay goal from Hayden Shackel temporarily put the Huskies ahead again 2-1.  Alex Elliott and Brett Tarcon picked up assists on that play.  It was to be the last Huskies goal of the game.  Boyd Koch scored an unassisted shorthanded goal for the Palominos 12:19 into the second to tie it 2-2, where it stayed to the end of the period.

A fight near the halfway point of the third sent Hayden Shackel home with a 10 minute game misconduct and a 5 minute major.  The Palomoinos scored their fourth and final goal of the game with 5:11 remaining.  That one came from Kenny Cummings, assisted by Jordie Waters and Steve McMasters.

Final score Palominos 4, Huskies 2.

40 minutes in penalties assessed to the Huskies, compared to 25 for the Palominos.  Huskies goalie Joel Hasselman and Palominos goalie Timber Barrett stopped  41 shots each.  Kenny Cummings, Jordie Waters, and Joel Hasselman were named Stars of the Game.

The Huskies lost an overtime heartbreaker 8-7 in Lomond against the Lakers on January 11. From their facebook page post about that game, "Huskies battled back several times to even the score, including three straight goals in the 3rd to send the game to OT. The pure heart, determination and relentlessness of this team makes the future that more promising. Newcomer Austin Beck score his first goal in the Ranchland Hockey League and veteran Kevin Olson had a great game including two timely goals."

The Huskies lost 3-2 to Nanton on January 17, 4-4 to Fort Macleod's Mustangs on January 18, 16-6 to the Lakers on January 24.

With a four team league, they're guaranteed a playoff spot.  Anything can happen.

With Pincher Creek Minor Hockey the Huskies are co-hosting Hockey Day at the Memorial Community Centre Arena on Saturday, February 8.  Click here for the regularly updated MCC hockey schedule.

Joel Hasselman