Photo Credit Sei Spo Press
Merry Christmas from the Eagles
The Canmore Eagles gave their fans an early present in the form of a 5-1 win over the Drumheller Dragons on Wednesday (Dec. 21).
The Alberta Junior Hockey League clash featured a two-goal performance by Alex Young, who became the fifth Eagle this season to reach 10 goals on the season.
Brody Tallman also scored for Canmore, giving the 19-year-old defenceman a goal in each of the last five games – and seven on the season.
Canmore took a 3-0 lead in the first period with Vincent Scott opening the scoring with his team-leading 15th goal followed by Young and Tallman.
In the middle frame, Young added his second of the game after Wil Christian had scored an early goal for Drumheller.
Hunter Bergeson, with his third goal since joining the Eagles at the end of November, completed the scoring in the third period.
Drumheller outshot Canmore 33-32, with the Dragons peppering Eagles netminder Andreai Proctor-Ramirez with 16 shots in the third period. Starting in goal for Drumheller was Liam Choquette, who was pulled after giving up three goals on 12 shots, with Garrett Fuller playing the final 47 minutes.
Canmore was 2-for-9 on the power play, while Drumheller was 0-for-3.
Canmore has defeated Drumheller in all four meetings this season. The two teams will meet twice, with both games in Drumheller.
In the giving mood
On Saturday (Dec. 17), Canmore was swatted 9-2 by the Grizzlys in Olds.
Tanner Klimpke scored two goals and assisted on three others as the hometown Grizzlys scored three times in each period. Seven other players were also involved in the scoring boon: Connor Michaud, David Clarke, Liam Hughes, Jayden Watson, Cade Moxham, Ryder Man Grey Horses and Ethan Coventry.
Canmore’s reply came from Owen Jones, in the first period, and Tallman, in the second period. Jones, an 18-year-old rookie forward playing for his hometown team, scored in three consecutive games and has 11 goals on the season. Tallman’s goal was his four consecutive game in which he has scored.
Olds outshot Canmore 41-26. Matthew Malin started in goal for the Eagles and made 23 saves over 40 minutes, with Proctor-Ramirez between the pipes in the third period, making nine saves. Marcus Cumberworth was in goal for the Grizzlys and stopped 34 shots.
Olds power play was 3-for-8 while Canmore went 1-for-7.
Undone by hat trick
When it came to gifting goals, a pair of empty net markers by Justin Barker ended any chance of a comeback by the Canmore on Friday (Dec. 16) as the Eagles lost 6-3 on home ice to the Calgary Canucks. The Canucks’ captain scored three times in the third period.
Calgary built up a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by Riley Hearn and Cale Sanders.
Canmore rallied back in the second period with Jones followed by Young, who ended an 11-game, goal-scoring drought.
Barker would put the Canucks up by one just 72 seconds into the third period with Ty Hipkin making it 4-2 at the nine-minute mark. Tallman got the Eagles back within one with under six minutes to play, however Barker would finish off the game with the two empty net goals.
Canmore outshot Calgary 34-27 with Proctor-Ramirez in goal for the Eagles and Max Prazma in goal of the Canucks.
On the power play, Calgary scored on its only chance while Canmore failed to convert on its only chance.
Canmore holds onto fifth place in the South Division with a record of 15-16-2-2. The Eagles return to action on Friday, Dec. 30, hosting the Okotoks Oilers, 7 p.m. at the Canmore Recreation Centre.
