Kings have no answer for Shantz’s 6-pack

Nathan Gladue of the Regals fought it out with Mich Landry of the Kings late in the third period. Both received a five-minute penalty for fighting and were ejected from the game.

Mac Olsen
South Peace News

The High Prairie Regals took an 8-5 victory against the Fairview Kings at home on Jan. 12. Tyler Shantz led the charge with six of those goals as well as an assist, for a total of seven points on the night. T.J. Cunningham and Cory Reid backed up Shantz for most of those goals. But Coach Brian Martinson says this wasn’t one of his team’s better games. He comments that they didn’t have their speed for this game, and were caught flatfooted because the Kings scored several power play goals. Prior to the game, a moment of silence for Ron Smith, a long-time Regals fan who passed away early last week at the age of 54. Justin Paul opened the scoring for the Regals three minutes into the first frame, and he was unassisted on the play. Shantz scored two goals as well, including a power play goal at the 18:45 mark. But the Kings answered back with a power play goal by Brad Reaney at 16:22, and an even-strength goal by Nolan Robertson at 19:20. The Regals were ahead by a score of 3-2 at the end of the first frame. The Kings added another power play goal to their tally at 10:35 in the second frame, as Derek Larson slipped the puck in from the side of the net. But then, at 12:03, Lance Gauchier fired a shot into the net, giving the Regals their fourth goal of the game. Shantz followed up with another goal less than four minutes later, giving him his third of the game. Rollie Gladue might have scored for the Regals just a short time later, had he not lost his stick. Gladue had a breakaway opportunity in the neutral zone, and Shymr was right behind him. They struggled for control of the puck, and Shymr forced Gladue’s stick out of his hand. Shymr received a two-minute penalty for slashing. Gladue’s loss was Shantz’s gain. Shantz scored during four-on-four play at the 17:48 mark, giving him his fourth goal of the game. The Regals were ahead 6-3 at the end of the second frame. It looked as though the Kings would even things up in the third period. Brett Sharp scored an unassisted, shorthanded goal at the 5:35 mark. Regals’ goaltender Cannon Cunningham had gone out of the net to push the puck away, but it hadn’t gone far enough. Sharp got possession, and he slipped the puck in from the side of the net. Yet, again, the Regals extended their lead when Shantz fired a shot high into the net at 10:21. Number five was in the bank. But once more, the Kings narrowed the gap when Jason Shymr slipped the puck in at 13:05 of the third frame. The third frame was marked by a couple of ugly incidents. At 12:25, Charles Laboucan of the Regals was sent to the box for four minutes for slashing, while Brady Reaney received two minutes for roughing in the same incident. Then, at 17:32, Nathan Gladue of the Regals got into a fight with Mich Landry by the Regals’ bench. Both players were ejected from the game, and each received a five-minute penalty. The Kings were still behind by two goals as the game was winding down. So, they pulled their goalie and put a sixth player on the ice to try and even things up. But it was to no avail, as Shantz scored his sixth and final goal on an empty net with just 10 seconds remaining. The Regals won by a score of 8-5, and they out-shot the Kings 37-27 in the game. The Regals acquired two points with this victory, giving them 28 points for the season, which places them one point behind the Spirit River Rangers. They are in first place in the east division. Shantz is the leading scorer in the North Peace Hockey League, with 32 goals and 28 assists, for a total of 60 points. T.J. Cunningham is in third place, with 22 goals and 32 assists for a total of 54 points. Coach Martinson says the Regals have some tough games coming up, including two against the Lakeland Eagles. They host the Eagles on Jan. 17 at 8:30 p.m., then travel to Grande Prairie Jan. 19 to play against the Athletics.

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