Too much horsepower to handle

High Prairie’s Rollie Gladue makes sure Hythe’s Cole Walker is kept on the ice during North Peace Hockey League action Nov. 29. Hythe won the game 7-2 on the strength of Clint Cook’s first two goals of the season.

Chris Clegg
South Peace News

It was a close game until the hit. The Hythe Mustangs and High Prairie Regals were embroiled in a 2-2 tie in the second period before High Prairie’s Lance Gauchier was clobbered near the blue line. He left the game never to return. After, High Prairie lost their focus and Hythe took control by scoring a pair of power play goals in the final eight minutes en route to a 7-2 North Peace Hockey League win. The Regals were already in enough trouble without T.J. Cunningham, Cory Reid, Stewart Cunningham and Tim Cunningham and could not afford to lose any more players. But lose one they did and they never recovered. Former Regal Justin Paul and Clint Cook scored in the first 13:07 to give Hythe the early lead. Brent Anderson’s power play goal late in the first period gave the Regals some hope in what was a very entertaining period featuring end-to-end action and terrific goaltending. Tyle Letendre scored a highlight reel goal to tie the game early in the second period. His end-to-end rush had Hythe defencemen and goaltender Mike Walker completely fooled. But after Gauchier left the game the tide turned. The Regals seemed a little too intent on getting even and lost their focus. Meanwhile, the Mustangs continued to come in red waves. They outshot the Regals 14-5 in the period and capitalized with two power play goals by Marty Jones and Brenin Rycroft. The Mustangs added insult to injury in the third period with three straight goals despite being outshot 14-8. Cook and Paul each scored his second goals of the game while Kyle Chappel concluded the scoring. The Regals certainly had no luck around the net as they nailed the iron three times. Had they scored, it may have been different. But, the Mustangs were clearly the better team this night. Other than power plays, the Regals generated no second chance shots the entire night. Walker either directed the puck harmlessly into the corner or defencemen were in position to clear the puck away from harm’s door. Hythe enjoyed a slim 33-31 shots on goal advantage and clicked on two of six power plays while the Regals scored on one of only seven chances. Particularly disturbing to the Regals was the fact they did not score on two two-man advantages as their third-ranked power play went sour. Cunningham was solid in the loss despite surrendering seven goals although he may have wanted the third and fourth goals back when the game was close. He certainly could not be faulted on the other five, especially the first two when defensive breakdowns coast the Regals. The Regals play twice on the road this week after concluding their three-game homestand with a 1-2 record. They play at McLennan Dec. 4 against the Lakeland Eagles before traveling to Spirit River to play the Rangers Dec. 6. They return home to face the Valleyview Jets Dec. 11. Game time is 8:30 p.m. at the Sports Palace.

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