Third period rally scuttles Pirates

Regals’ goaltender Cannon Cunningham did his best but still surrendered 12 goals in the loss to Spirit River Jan. 24. Above, he lets in a third period goal from Cordell Shmyr.

Chris Clegg
South Peace News

Another topsy-turvy week concluded for the High Prairie Regals as they continue to experience the highs and lows of a tumultuous North Peace Hockey League season. The undermanned 8-13-1-0 Regals went into the lion’s den Jan. 23 needing a win over the first place 9-11-1-0 Pirates to have any chance of placing first in the NPHL’s East Division. The Regals overcame two three-goal deficits to shock the Pirates 9-7 thus keeping hopes alive. The next night, the Reglas returned home and were predictably blown out by the powerhouse Spirit River Rangers 12-1. What hurt even more, however, was the Pirates shocked the hometown Fairview Kings 10-4 the same night to regain first all alone. The Pirates have five games left, the Regals four. The Pirates lead by two points and win any possible tiebreaker at the end of the season. With the Regals going to Fort St. John Jan. 31, chances are very slim the Regals will place first. It likely means a second round best-of-five playoff series with Spirit River or Grande Prairie. But as long as there is a chance, the club continues to battle. It was never more evident than in Falher when they trailed 4-1 after one period. The Regals battled back to tie the game 4-4 in the second but by the three-minute mark of the third they were down 7-4. With a short bench it looked like it was all over, but no one told the Regals. They rallied to score five goals in just over 10 minutes to steal the win. Captain Lance Gauchier had four goals and an assist in the win. He loves playing in Falher as he had a six-goal game last year against the Pirates. Rollie Gladue, Trent Meyaard, Brad Kerr, Craig Van de Ligt and Terrance Willier, with the game-winner, added the other goals. Willier’s game-winner was also his first of the season. Keith Reade had a first period hat trick for the Pirates but was shut down afterwards. Newcomer Darcy Johnson added a pair while Steve Reade and Terrence Campbell added the others. Statistically, the Regals lost every category. They were outshot 46-36 and scored only once on three power play chances. The Pirates were two-for-four. Cannon Cunningham picked up the win while Les Montpelier suffered the loss. But the only stat that count is the scoreboard and the Regals gladly left town with a win. The next night the Regals were no match for the Rangers, who outshot the Regals 23-2 in the first period en route to a 4-0 lead. They increased the margin to 8-0 after two and 9-0 in the third before Van de Ligt’s power play goal spoiled the shutout bid of Darin Allen. The NPHL’s leading scorer, Mike Lefley, strutted his stuff by scoring twice and adding five assists. Faron Duthie and Mark Wallman each added a pair while Donny Lloyd, Brandon Hessler, Evan Boire, Cordell Shmyr, Craig Venhola and Colin Lefley added the others. The short-handed Regals were not afforded a break in the game. T.J. Cunningham went off the ice with an injury, Lawrence Anderson was tossed for fighting and Meyaard collapsed after the second period and did not return. An already short bench was severely depleted with their loss. The Rangers outshot the Regals 54-16 and were two-for-three on the power play. Van de Ligt’s goal was the only one scored on eight chances. Cannon took the loss despite a valiant effort. He had to go the distance as the Regals did not dress a backup with Kyle Shantz injured and the midget team away. The Regals play two games this week, both out of town. Jan. 29 they travel to Valleyview, Jan. 31 to Fort St. John. The Regals play their third straight road game Feb. 6 in Peace River before ending the regular season on home ice Feb. 7, also against Peace River.

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