Chiefs struggle against Calgary teams
By Tyler Lowey, Times Reporter
Tyler Lowey Photo
The CNHA Blazers (3-1-2) came to the Strathmore Family Centre Nov. 25 and handed the Chiefs a 7-1 drubbing, in what was the local team’s third game of the week and their worst loss of the season.
Bobby Labelle finished off a spectacular tic-tac-toe play to give the Blazers the 1-0 edge early. From there, goals came from Tanner Ritcy and a pair from Azam Jiwa before the Chiefs (8-5-2) got on the board.
A.J. Kusu gained the zone with Skiffington on a two-on-one, as Skiffington finished off the drive by shoveling in his fourth of the season at the 3:16 mark of the second.
“I don’t think we played very well at all. It didn’t take a lot to beat us, but I don’t think that team is better than us by 7-1,” said Chiefs Head Coach Matt Gass.
That’s all the Chiefs managed, as Bryce Trimmer, Adam Bracken and Erik Molstad put the finishing touches on the local team.
“This is a real gut-check time for our team,” said Gass. “Hopefully we can use this as a building experience and never want to lose this bad again.”
The Chiefs picked up their first win of the season on the smaller ice surface at Hussar Arena Nov. 24, when they hosted and clipped the 1-13-0 Foothills Bisons 3-2 in a back-and-forth affair.
Jaycob Masciangelo opened the scoring for the Chiefs from Jayden Hendricks and Ben Kruse. Tied at one with two minutes remaining in the first, Rylan Longmuir supplied his fourth of the season from Brian Butland.
Ty Skehar netted the winner on an unassisted short-handed marker at the 5:10 mark in the second. Ethan Rycroft wasn’t busy, but he was solid, making 13 saves to run his record to 6-1.
Playing another rare mid-week game, the Chiefs fell 3-1 Nov. 22 to the CNHA Canucks (9-0-0) at the Max Bell Centre #2. Stran Red Crow was the only one to find the back of the net as the Chiefs fell to 1-3 against the Calgary Division this season.
“We play the North Division as much as we play the Calgary Division, so that’s not an excuse for not being prepared,” said Gass. “Calgary usually has a couple strong teams out of that division. It’s not us seeing them that is the issue, it’s us not being prepared is the issue.”
The local double-A midget team will host a pair of games this weekend. First, they welcome the Medicine Hat Hounds (6-6-0) to Hussar Arena Dec. 2 at 4:45 p.m. The following afternoon, the Red Deer Elks (5-9-0) are in town at the Strathmore Family Centre at 1:30 p.m.
Warriors earn draw
In the bantam division, the Warriors picked up their second tie of the season, when they skated to a 4-4 draw against the division-leading Okotoks Oilers (9-4-4) Nov. 24 at the Strathmore Family Centre.
Jerrin Hendricks notched a pair, while Joel Romano and Jarred Schrock each supplied one, as the Warriors (6-9-2) staked a 4-3 lead early in the third.
The Oilers made quick work of a Hendricks kneeing minor with 9:54 remaining in regulation. It only took two seconds for Ethan Partaker to tie the game from J.J. Pickell. Dylan Fires-Abel made 35 saves to hang onto the tie and pick up one point in the standings.
To close out the weekend, the Warriors fell 3-1 to the Central Alberta Selects (6-9-1).
Romano registered the only goal for the hosts, coming in the third period on a power play from Philip Raycroft and Lachlan Stewart.
The Warriors took a break from the South Central Alberta Hockey League this weekend to participate in a tournament in Lethbridge running Dec. 1-3. They resume SCAHL action Dec. 10 against the Foothills Bisons (10-4-1) at the Bob Snodgrass Recreation Centre. The next Warriors home game is slated for Dec. 16 when they host the Medicine Hat Hounds (3-11-1) at Hussar Arena.
Braves back in action
The Wheatland Braves were not in action last week following their 4-1 victory over the Airdrie Lightning Red Nov. 19 in Airdrie.
This weekend they host the Cranbrook BP Wings at two locations. First, the two peewee South Division foes will meet at Hussar Arena Dec. 1 (7:30 p.m.) and do it all over again at the Family Centre Dec. 2 (4:45 p.m.).