UPCOMING GAMES
Friday, Jan. 15 – Calgary Canucks at Canmore – 7 PM
Saturday, Jan. 16 – Spruce Grove Saints at Canmore – 7 PM
The Canmore Eagles started the final third of their 2015-16 Alberta Junior Hockey League schedule on a sour note Tuesday night as they dropped a lopsided 7-2 decision to the Olds Grizzlys in Olds.
After playing two very intense games against the Camrose Kodiaks in Canmore over the past weekend, the Eagles went to Olds without the services of many key players and just didn’t have the compete level needed to win an AJHL game.
With three starters (Braden Satetsky, Brett Radford, Kurt Hildebrand) out of the lineup due to 2-game suspensions as a result of the Camrose weekend, and two more starters out with injuries (Lane Olson and Brayden Biccum), the Eagles just didn’t have the guns to get the job done.
Rookies Coy Prevost (13th) and Adam Tisdale (7th) had the lone Eagle goals, while goaltender Ryan Bontorin took the loss to see his record drop to 10-12-2. The Eagles outshot the Grizzlys 48-33 on the night.
“Tonight we looked like we had a emotional hangover from the weekend,” said Eagles Head Coach and General Manager Andrew Milne afterwards. “We did everything but throw the kitchen sink at their goalie, but we couldn’t put the puck behind him. We got beat in net at both ends of the rink tonight.”
With former Eagle players Griffin Mumby and Nick Wihak traded away at the AJHL deadline over the weekend, and with the suspensions and injuries, the Eagles had to replace seven players from last weekend’s starting lineup. Everyone available on the Eagle’s roster got their opprtunity to play.
“To be honest, I expected more from the guys that are looking for an opportunity,” said Milne. “They got an opportunity to play tonight and they didn't step up. That's frustrating and unexpected. This same group gets to address it again on Friday night when we play the Canucks.”
Game Time on Friday night at the Canmore Recreation Centre is 7 PM.
NOTEBOOK: Newly acquired forward Colby Livingstone and defenceman Jarell Pinchuk made their Eagle debut last night after being acquired at the AJHL trade deadline. . . . The Eagles also called up affiliate player Colton Young for the game.
