Regals Thunder struck!

Chirs Clegg
South Peace News

A dismal third period highlighted by some terrible defensive breakdowns cost the High Prairie Regals dearly as they were whipped by the powerhouse Horse Lake Thunder 10-4 in North Peace Hockey League action Feb. 3. The Thunder rolled into town with their former semi-pros and High Prairie’s best talent (Tyler Shantz, Travis Cunningham, etc.) but still had trouble putting the very game Regals away. The Thunder led 5-4 after two periods before scoring five straight third period goals to win. Drew Rose put the Thunder ahead 1-0 in the first when his point shot whizzed past Regals’ goaltender Cannon Cunningham, who was helplessly screened on the play. Defenceman Rocky Collins tied the game on a power play when his point shot clanged off the post and into the net sending the home crowd into a frenzy. However, before the end of the period a costly turnover at the blue line led to a two-on-one break with Shantz converting a perfect pass from Matt Hunter to make it 2-1. The Thunder came out strong in the second period and scored three straight goals to make it 5-1. Travis Cunningham’s power play marker began the rally. Steve Reade then skated in from the side and shot the puck into the net as Cannon Cunningham was hampered by a crowd of players vin front of the net. Travis Cunningham then scored his second of the night as he converted a failed scoring attempt off the backboards. He was left all alone and had no trouble finding the empty cage. Apparently, those years of playing minor hockey in High Prairie paid off as he took advantage of knowing how lively the backboards are in the Sports Palace. But the Regal weren’t about to give in without a fight. Justin Paul was lucky enough to step onto the ice at the perfect time and found himself the recipient of a pass from Cory Reid. He skated in all alone and beat Clayton Brough to make it 5-2. Lawrence Anderson’s wraparound goal on the power play made it 5-3 – a goal Brough would have liked to have back – and Lee Lamouche’s howitzer from the faceoff circle beat Brough cleanly and it was game on at 5-4. The Thunder, however, with all their experience and talent, turned it up a notch in the third period. Their puck movement was exceptional and it began to lead to serious breakdowns by the Regals, who were tiring. Tyler Brough was left all alone in front of the net for what seemed like an eternity before he received a pass and converted to make it 6-4 just under three minutes in. Twenty seconds later Travis Cunningham scored his hat-trick goal with Shantz and Hunter drawing the assists. Reade then scored his second of the night after converting a rebound off a Todd Holt breakway. The Regals failed to pick up the trailing man on the play leaving Cannon Cunningham with no chance. The ninth goal, Hunter’s first of the night to go along with four assists, was another breakdown. He skated in slowly and took advantage as the defence backed in. He fired a shot from the near slot past Cannon Cunningham. Mark Lindsay completed the scoring with 1:03 left on a power play after Lance Gauchier took his first stick foul penalty of the season. The Thunder outshot the Regals 48-34 in the contest. Cannon Cunningham took the loss but couldn’t really be faulted on any of the goals. Despite giving up 10 goals, he had a solid game, strange as it may seem. The Regals clicked on two of eight power play chances while the Thunder scored on two of four chances. The Regals get a week off to prepare for the Manning Comets Feb. 10 at the Sports Palace. Game time is 8:30 p.m. The bottom line after the loss is that the Regals need to win their last three games to place first in the NPHL’s East Division. Their other games are at home against the Grimshaw Huskies and at McLennan to close out the regular season against the Lakeland Eagles Feb. 17.

Copyright © 1999-2005 South Peace News. All Rights Reserved.
No part may be reproduced without written permission.

View our Privacy Statement.
Send website suggestions to the Webmaster