THURSDAY, OCT. 4, – The Canmore Eagles of the Alberta Junior Hockey League will attempt to get back into the win column this weekend as they will face the Olds Grizzlys (5-5) in Olds on Friday, Oct. 5 and return home to host the visiting Calgary Canucks (4-6-1) on Saturday, Oct. 6.
Canmore has played both teams already this season, losing 5-2 to the Grizzlys in Olds on Sept. 8, and defeating the Canucks 3-2 in Calgary on Sept. 22.
The Eagles emerged from the month of September with a respectable 4-3-1 record and are looking forward to this weekend’s games against a pair of Southern Division rivals.
“We’ve had a great week in practice and the boys are keen to get back on the ice,” said Eagle’s Head Coach and General Manager Andrew Milne. “We didn’t enjoy the success that we were hoping for at the Showcase Event in Spruce Grove last weekend, so we want to make amends for that this weekend.”
Winning hockey games in Olds is never an easy task for visiting teams as the Grizzlys like to play a very physical style of game. The Grizzlys, who have already amassed 424 penalty minutes in just 10 games, will be short two regular players against the Eagles as forward Austin Kernahan and defenceman Chris Stachiw will be on the sidelines as a result of AJHL suspensions stemming from an incident-filled game last weekend against Drumheller.
Following the Olds game, the Eagles will put their perfect 3-0 home record to the test on Saturday night against the Calgary Canucks. Game time at the Canmore Recreation Centre is 7 pm.
Saturday’s home game is being sponsored by the Canmore Minor Hockey Association, who will be putting on a free pre-game BBQ for all fans from 6 – 6:45 pm. Come early and pick up a free hot dog/smokie and pop – with all donations going to Kid’s Sport.
NOTEBOOK: Zack Rassell leads the Eagle team in scoring with five goals and five assists in 10 games and sits in a 10th place tie in the AJHL scoring parade. . . The Canmore Eagle’s specialty teams have shown significant improvement from one season ago. Canmore’s powerplay has converted for nine goals in 47 opportunities for a 19.14 powerplay percentage – good enough for 7th spot in the 16-team league. . . .The Eagles penalty killers have also done a good job this season allowing just six goals in 32 short-handed situations for an 81.25 penalty killing percentage – good enough for 9th place in the league.