The Canmore Eagles will attempt to snap their current four-game Alberta Junior Hockey League losing streak on Tuesday night (Oct. 1) when they host the Spruce Grove Saints (4-4) at the Canmore Recreation Centre. Game time is 7 pm.
After jumping out to an impressive 3-1 start to begin their season, the Eagles have fallen on tough times and suddenly find themselves in last-place in the AJHL Southern Division standings with a 3-5 record.
“We play four of our next five games on home ice, so this gives us an excellent opportunity to re-group and try to re-gain some positive momentum,” said Eagles Head Coach and General Manager Andrew Milne. “The only thing that will get us out of this funk is hard work, dedication and determination.”
Injuries have already started to rear their ugly head for the Eagles as captain Nils Moser suffered a serious knee injury and rookie defenceman Jakob Lavoie went down with an ankle injury at last weekend’s Showcase Event. in Spruce Grove, AB.
“We will obviously miss both Moser and Lavoie, but we can’t use injuries as an excuse,” said Milne. “Every team gets injuries. This will give some of our younger players the opportunity to step up and show what they can do with some added ice-time and responsibilities.”
NOTEBOOK: One area that the Eagles are succeeding is on specialty teams. Canmore has the second best powerplay in the AJHL as they have scored 11 times on 50 opportunities for a 22% conversion rate. The Eagles penalty killing unit sits in 6th-place in the AJHL as they have surrendered just six powerplay goals on 43 powerplay opportunities . . . Assistant Eagles captain Luke Simpson is currently tied for 4th-place in the AJHL goal scoring parade with seven goals in just 8 games played. He is only two goals shy of the AJHL overall lead, and has played two less games than the current leaders.
