Atoms have Devil of a time

The High Prairie Atom Red Devils won a tournament in Olds Jan. 26-27. In the back row, left-right, are coaches Greg Nesom, Calvin Gauchier and Karen Zelman. Third row, left-right, are Makayla Laboucan, Madison Nesom, Bridgette Schur Auger, Callie Noskey, Chelsea Gauchier, Dakota Badger, Olivia Davies, Laurel Gauchier and Riana Pardell. Second row, left-right, are Jewel Cunningham, Katey Zelman, Gabbie Laderoute and Billie Cowell. In the front is Alie Dumont.

Chris Clegg
South Peace News

It was a long trip in cold weather to Olds Jan. 26-27, but well worth it after the High Prairie Atom Red Devils won three straight games and first place. The Devils defeated Lethbridge 6-2, Olds 7-1 and Red Deer 5-2 in round-robin play to claim first in the four-team field. Coach Greg Nesom credits strong defensive play and hard forechecking as the team’s reasons for success. “All of the girls really stepped up their game,” says Nesom. “Alie Dumont was almost unbeatable in net, the defence kept the opposition stuck in their own end and the forwards were relentless with scoring chances.” Game MVPs were Madison Nesom, Dumont and Katey Zelman. The Devils battled Lethbridge to a scoreless first period before scoring four goals in the second to take command. Zelman and Callie Noskey gave the Devils a 2-0 lead before Shelbi Bergwal broke the shutout bid. Chelsea Gauchier replied with a pair of goals before the end of the period and the Devils lead 4-1. Gabbi Laderoute and Madison Nesom scored goals in the first 12 minutes of the third period before Bergwal’s second goal of the contest ended the scoring. The Devils started much better in their second game against Olds. Gauchier scored two first period goals while Noskey added another to stake the Devils to a 3-0 lead. Gauchier added her third goal of the contest in the second period to make it 4-0. Olivia Davies, Billie Cowell and Madison Nesom added third period goals to make it 7-0 before Nicole Schultz scored with 2:46 left to spoil Dumont’s shutout bid. The Devils started strong again in their final game against Red Deer. Madison Nesom and Noskey scored first period goals to make it 2-0. The teams traded four goals in the second period with Gauchier and Noskey scoring for the Devils while Jade Lee replied with both Red Deer goals. Madison Nesom’s third period goal - her fourth of the tournament - capped the scoring. Players, coaches and parents extend thanks to Ron Taylor for the safe bus trip and for being the “super fan” he is. Besides league play, the Devils look forward to their next tournament in Sylvan Lake, Alta. at the end of the season.

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