Next win proving elusive

The Canmore Eagles saw its losing streak extend to six games with a dramatic 2-1 overtime setback to the Canucks in Calgary on Saturday (Nov. 16).

Canmore’s lone game of the week in the Alberta Junior Hockey League came undone in the final minutes extending its winless streak to four regulation time and two overtime losses. Once in first place in the South Division, the Eagles (11-6-3-0) are third in the South Division.

A scoreless hockey game through two periods, Canmore took a 1-0 lead on Zach Coutu’s team-leading eighth goal of the season – and his first goal in eight games – at 2:16 of the third period. The top scorer on the  Eagles (8G-14A—22PTS) got in behind the Canucks’ defence and using his speed went left to right in front of goal tucking a backhand between the pads Calgary goaltender Cruz Chase.

Three penalties over the final 10 minutes of the period would test Canmore’s mettle. The Canucks would finally break through with the tying goal at 16:08. Nolan Dupont would score eight seconds into the third penalty of the period ending Alex Scheiwiller’s shutout bid.

Gavin Schmidt would finish complete the comeback win on a 2-on-1 at 2:40 of the 3-on-3 overtime session to give the hometown team the victory.

Canmore outshot Calgary 27-26. On the power play, the Eagles were 0-for-4 and the Canucks were 1-for-4.

The Camrose Kodiaks (13-5-1-2) with 29 points hold down first place in the South with points in each of their last nine games; eight wins and a shootout defeat. Calgary (13-6-1-1) at 28 points is second, followed by Canmore at 25 and the Drumheller Dragons (11-9-1-0) fourth with 23 points.

Next up for Canmore is a doubleheader with Camrose at the Canmore Recreation Centre on Friday, Nov. 22 and Saturday, Nov. 23. Game times are 7 p.m.

The Eagles were without the services of rookie goaltender Hudson Sedo, who is currently with the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League. Many young junior A stars have seen callups to the major junior ranks after last week’s announcement that Canadian Hockey League players – which includes players with WHL, Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League – are now eligible for NCAA Div. 1 scholarships. It undoes a long standing rule that any player participating in an exhibition or regular-season game at the major junior level was considered to have professional status and ineligible for NCAA Div. 1 recruitment.

Canmore and Calgary will next meet Tuesday, Nov. 26 at the Banff Fenlands Recreation Centre at 7 p.m. The game will not be available on FloSports. The Eagles and Canucks have met four times this season with each team winning twice. Canmore won the first two encounters on opening weekend and Calgary has won the last two games. The sixth and final clash of the regular season will take place Feb. 23 in Canmore.

Canmore was again without Owen Jones (suspension), Jaren Brinson (ankle) and Cole Wadsworth (shoulder) during this losing streak. Jones can return to the lineup this coming weekend.

Josh Cleary (3G-5A—8PTS) broke a seven games pointless streak with an assist on Coutu’s goal. Ethan Look (6G-7A—13pts)) had the other assist.

With Sedo unavailable, the Eagles called up 17-year-old Calgary Buffaloes U18 AAA goaltender Colton Scott (3.20GAA, .902S/PCT. over 7 games this season) to serve in the backup role against the Canucks. Scott played three games at least year’s Telus Cup (U18 national championship) as the Buffaloes captured a bronze medal.

Canmore’s 52 goals (2.60 per game) is tied with the Fort McMurray Oil Barons for last in the AJHL. In overall scoring the Eagles are minus-3, with the 55 goals against or 2.75 per game tied for the third least allowed and fourth best per game defence.

EAGLES NEST: Tickets for Canmore Eagles’ home games are available at canmoreeagles.ca/tickets. … You can watch Eagles’ games as well as the rest of the AJHL online, along with much more live and on demand sports, through a FloSports subscription available at flohockey.tv.

Russ Ullyot