Chris Clegg
South Peace News

They might not place first in the NPHL’s East Division, or secure any of the top seeds, but the Falher Pirates showed they just might have what it takes to be a champion this season as playoffs approach.

The Pirates faced a tough gauntlet with road games at Spirit River, Dawson Creek and Manning in four days last week. While they were thumped 8-5 at Spirit River, they rebounded nicely to win 3-2 at Dawson Creek and 6-5 in overtime at Manning against the Comets.

The Pirates trail the Comets by a single point with one game left but the Comets have two games left, at home to Fox Creek and at High Prairie. Realistically, the Pirates need a miracle to win the division. The fact the Pirates lose any tiebreaker to the Comets further compounds the issue.

The airtight first period defence the Pirates have had all season took a holiday in Spirit River as the Rangers raced to a 4-2 first period lead. The defending champs increased the margin to 6-2 after two periods in a game that featured 190 penalty mintes, 106 to the Pirates.

Kenton Helgeson scored three goals including two on the power play, to pace the Rangers. Marco St. Pierre added a pair while Spencer Ross, Payton Lappenbush and Alex Roach added the others. Dustin Sather added four assists and led the NPHL in scoring by week’s end.

Josh Sylvain replied with a pair for the Pirates while Isaiah Letendre, Dallas Brochu and Tyrell Boucher added the others.

The Pirates’ staunch penalty killing unit also took a hit giving up four goals in eight chances.

At Dawson Creek, captain Pat Rowan opened the scoring in the first period. Brett Edwards made it 2-0 in the second period and Boucher 3-0 early in the third.

However, the Canucks rallied with goals from Colin Mathieson and Matt Schermund to make it 3-2 with 6:51 remaining, but it was as close as the Canucks would get.

Edwards scored at the 1:08 mark of overtime to give the Pirates the win at Manning, and thus spoil the party the Comets were planning. Had they won, the Comets would have clinched first place overall and won the Lawrence Cup.

The Pirates also did two things they had not done all season. They won when trailing after the first period (3-2) and won when trailing after the second period (5-3). Considering NPHL teams are a pathetic 4-63 when trailing after two periods, it is quite a feat.

The overtime winner was Edwards’ second of the game. Cale Fox also chipped in with a pair while Jordan McTaggart and Rowan added the other goals.

Dorian Schmidt and Deklan Whillans each scored twice for the Comets while Michael Gillen added the other goal.

The Pirates end their regular season with a home game versus the Valleyview Jets Feb. 1. Barring a strange set of events, the Pirates will play the expansion Fox Creek Knights in a best-of-seven series tentatively beginning Feb. 11.

The Jets play the High Prairie Regals in the playoffs.