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Sports: Pirates show no mercy
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High Prairie defenceman Jon Giroux, centre, watches Falher’s Keith Reade in front of the net as goaltender Chris Prpich looks for the rebound. Reade had three goals in Falher’s 9-1 win.
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Chris Clegg
for South Peace News
Total dominance was the only way one could describe the Falher Pirates’ season-opening 9-1 North Peace Hockey League win at High Prairie Oct. 29.
The Pirates outshot the Regals 64-30 in the contest, which set several milestones for the club. The eight-goal margin of victory was the highest for the Pirates in High Prairie since 1989 when records were kept. The nine goals scored also marked the highest number of goals for the Pirates in High Prairie since the same time period. Overall, it marked only the third time the Pirates scored at least nine goals in game against the Regals since 1989, a span covering 54 games.
“Right now, we’re in a state where we are giving everyone an opportunity,” says coach Jim McLean, referring to the loss of several key players to Lakeland three days before the start of the season.
McLean, as many fans, did not fault the effort of the club but recognized on this night they were simply outgunned.
“The players have to learn how to play this game behind their own blueline,” says McLean.
The Pirates used their speed all over the ice but particularly in the Regals’ end. A continuous cycle had the young Regals chasing the puck which led to continuous breakdowns.
“We can’t score a lot of goals,” says McLean. “We have to be disciplined.”
The Pirates opened the scoring with a pair of power play goals in the first period. Keith Reade’s breakaway at 7:55 opened the scoring. Less than two minutes later, Daniel Aubin scored as the Pirates outshot the Regals 22-5.
The lone bright spot for the Regals was goaltender Chris Prpich. He made save after save to give the Regals a chance to come back.
“I told (Prpich) that was the best I ever seen him play,” says McLean.
But it was not to be. In the second period, the Pirates made it 5-0 on goals from Matt Maisonneuve, Reade and Denis Rochon before Vern Cunningham Jr. banged in a rebound to score the Regals’ only goal of the night.
Later, Reade scored on the power play to conclude his hat-trick.
Strange as it was, the Regals held their own five-on-five. Four of the Pirates’ first six goals were scored on the power play.
Pirates’ coach Mitch Maisonneuve agreed the power play was the difference.
“Our power play looked good,” he says. “Five-on-five, we were pretty even. Our first three goals were all power play goals.”
He also gave credit to the Regals saying they never quit despite being down so much.
“If they stay together they’ll be way better by the end of the year,” he adds.
Jason Bouchard, Jared Zawacki and Blake Myatt concluded the scoring in the third period.
“It was a pretty good start to the season,” says Bouchard. “We played really hard in that first game.”
McLean realizes the Regals must ice a full lineup to be competitive.
“We have to get some help for (top line) Rollie (Gladue) Claude (Cunningham) and Lawrence Anderson,” he says. “You have to have two lines or the other team just shuts you down.”
The game marked the debut of Kevin Brust, Nic Cooper and Tyrell D’Aoust. Joe Cunningham has only had a cup of tea in the league. Compared to most teams, the Regals are frightfully young and growing pains will occur as they get their feet wet.
The Regals play their first road game this season Nov. 5 as they travel to McLennan to face the Lakeland Eagles. The club returns home Nov. 7 to face the Fairview Kings and Nov. 12 to play the Peace River Stampeders. Game time is 8:30 p.m. for all games.
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