Photo: Eagle goaltender Ryan Ferguson was back in superb form last night as the Eagles downed the Okotokos Oilers 5-2 in AJHL action. Photo courtesy of Julie Wilson
UPCOMING GAMES
Showcase Weekend inSpruce Grove
Lloydminster Bobcats – Friday, Sept. 26
Bonnyville Pontiacs – Saturday, Sept. 27
NEXT HOME GAME
Drumheller Dragons at Canmore – Tuesday, Sept. 30 – 7 pm
HE’S BACK!
After three self-acknowledged subpar performances to start the 2014-15 Alberta Junior Hockey League regular season, Canmore goaltender Ryan Ferguson was back in spectacular form on Tuesday night stopping 43 of 45 Okotoks Oiler shots and backstopped the Eagles to a 5-2 victory before 367 fans at the Canmore Recreation Centre.
Ferguson, who had allowed 16 goals in his first three starts, was named the Eagle’s “Star of the Game” and helped the Eagles improve their early season record to 3-2.
Simon Philp had a pair of goals for the Eagles (1st and 2nd), while Kyle Craddock (1st), Griffin Mumby (2nd) and Lane Olson (3rd) each chipped in with a goal apiece. Eagle captain Connor Wilson continued his torrid early season scoring pace picking up three assists and now sits in second-place in the AJHL scoring parade with 10 points in just five games played.
Special team play was also a major factor in the outcome as the Eagles went 3 for 5 on the powerplay, while the Oilers were shutout on 5 powerplay opportunities including a five minute advantage in the second period.
“It was great to see Ferguson back to his usual form – he was brilliant tonight,” said Eagle’s Head Coach and General Manager Andrew Milne. “That was the kind of performance we are used to seeing from Fergie. Our special team play was also outstanding. When you receive great goaltending and convert on the powerplay, good things are going to happen. It was hard-hitting physical game and I’m proud of the way the boys stuck up for eachother. There were a lot of positives from this game and hopefully we can build on this momentum and go up to Spruce Grove this weekend and put on a good show at the Showcase event.”
NOTEBOOK: Second-year forward Ryley Risling picked up an assist last night to continue his five game consecutive point streak to start the season . . . Twenty-year-old Canmore native Simon Philp, who had zero points in his first three games, has put up 2 goals and 4 assists in his last two games. . . This weekend’s AJHL Showcase Weekend in Spruce Grove has not been kind to the Canmore Eagles during the last three years as they have gone 0-6 and have been outscored 31-13 in the process. The Eagles last victory at the Showcase was a 4-3 victory over Drayton Valley back on Oct. 1, 2010.