Sports: Regals tame Huskies, now face Jets
Chris Clegg
for South Peace News
The High Prairie Regals paid their respects to Dale Fawcett, a long-time Grimshaw Huskie and nemesis before their North Peace Hockey League game Jan. 21 in Grimshaw.
Fawcett passed away last year and was honoured by the club before the game.
But if the sweater retirement ceremony was supposed to provide inspiration to the hometown Huskies, it backfired as the Regals played their best game of the season by blasting the Huskies 7-2.
The win was huge as it reduced their margin for error in their desperate bid to make the NPHL playoffs. But the momentum serves well as the Regals host the Valleyview Jets in a crucial game tonight (Jan. 24).
The Regals trail the Jets by three points but have three games left with them and four overall. What it means is the Regals will likely have to sweep the Jets to qualify, or win in Falher, win two of three against the Jets, and have the Jets lose the rest of their games.
The Jets won the two previous games this season: 9-5 at home and 8-6 in High Prairie, so the Regals have some getting even to do.
The week started poorly for the Regals, who were outgunned by the Lakeland Eagles 10-7 Jan. 19.
The Regals started strong and built a 3-1 first period lead, only to watch the Eagles score twice in the final six minutes to tie the game.
In the second, the Regals fell behind twice but took a 6-4 lead at the 12:30 mark on Rollie Gladue’s goal.
From there it was all downhill as the Eagles took control and scored five of the game’s last six goals to win.
The Eagles have since clinched a playoff berth and are battling the Huskies for second place so they have a lot to play for, if putting another nail in the Regals coffin wasn’t enough incentive.
Craig Anderson led the way with five goals and two assists. He seems primed to score 50 goals for the first time in his career and is making a runaway out of the scoring race. Anderson leads by 19 points and will no doubt celebrate his first scoring title when the regular season officially ends Feb. 5.
Craig Van de Ligt added two others while Drake Cunningham, Charles Laboucan and Lloyd Ah-Kim-Nachie added the others. Jay Anderson chipped in with six assists.
Tyler Shantz responded with three goals to lead the Regals while Rollie Gladue, Ryan Trimble, Dylan Cunningham and Kyle Weegar added the others.
The Regals stumbled into Grimshaw with the NPHL’s worst defensive record, allowing over 10 goals per game. Who would have thought the Regals would lead 5-0 after one period and 7-0 after two periods en route to the 7-2 win?
And considering Town of Grimshaw employees usually have to fumigate the arena after a Regals visit – they’ve lost 15 of 20 games in Grimsahw since 1994 – this was a welcome victory.
Weegar scored four goals in the win including two goals in each of the first two periods, including the game-winner and power play marker. Nick Anderson added two goals and two assists while Ira Gladue added one goal and four assists.
Brett Campbell and Brad Kerr replied for the Huskies.
Goaltender Kyle Shantz stopped 35 or 37 shots to record the win.
Penalty killing was also key as Kerr’s goal was the only one scored on nine Huskie power play chances.
After hosting the Jets, the Regals travel to Falher for a tilt Jan. 27 with the East Division champions. The Regals conclude the regular season with games in Valleyview Feb. 2 and at home against the Jets Feb. 4.
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