CANMORE EAGLES ““ 09/09/21
Eagles back on the ice
Hockey returned to Canmore this week, with the Eagles hosting the Whitecourt Wolverines for a pair of home exhibition games at the Recreation Centre.
Following an abbreviated 2020-21 season due to Covid-19 protocols, it is full steam ahead this fall for the Alberta Junior Hockey League with all 16 teams ““ which includes the expansion Blackfalds Bulldogs ““ preparing for the regular season.
The Eagles opened their training camp on Sept. 1 and following a few full days of on-ice sessions split their double date with the Wolverines, losing 4-3 on Monday, Sept. 6 and winning 4-0 on Tuesday, Sept. 7.
In the exhibition season opener on Monday evening, Canmore took a 3-1 lead in the first period, with goals from Zack Cunningham, Isaac Suppin and Maguire Smith. Lane Paddison assisted on two goals.
Whitecourt had opened the scoring on a goal by Conner Salesky. Then Salesky and Thomas Vela scored in the second period to tie the game. Brandan Tronchin notched the game winner early in the third period.
Whitecourt outshot Canmore 61-18 as the Eagles dressed just seven players with junior A experience. Two of those experienced players were the goaltenders as Devin Chapman (28 saves) and Andrei Proctor-Ramirez (29 saves) split the game with each allowing two goals. The Wolverines started Carson Ironside (7 saves), who gave way to Aidan Feddema (8 saves) midway through the contest.
On Tuesday afternoon, Proctor-Ramirez made 35 saves in a shutout performance that guided a much more experienced Eagles squad to victory.
Canmore goals came from Kyle Young and Michell Watson in the first period, Cunningham scored in the second period. Kayden Smith added a goal in the third period.
The Eagles fired 26 shots at the Wolverines”™ goal with William Grimard between the pipes for the visitors.
Canmore will conclude its exhibition slate on Friday with a trip to Olds to take on the Grizzlys, 7 p.m. at the Sportsplex.
Canmore begins its 60-game regular season a week later ““ Friday, Sept. 17 ““ when they return to Olds.
The Eagles home opener is the following night ““ Saturday, Sept. 18 ““ when they host the Calgary Canucks at the Recreation Centre. Game time is 7 p.m.