Chris Clegg
South Peace News
Two wins in three games including a charity point for an overtime loss have the High Prairie Red Wings in second place in the National Junior Hockey League’s Alberta North Division.
The Red Wings whipped the hometown Lac la Biche Lakers 9-3 on Oct. 12, lost in overtime to the visiting Edson Eagles 8-7 Oct. 13, and rebounded for a 10-2 win over the visiting Redwater Pioneers Oct. 18. Each game last week involved the visiting team posting wins.
The Red Wings sport a 5-1-1-0 record for 11 points and trail only the undefeated Edson Eagles, who have won all eight of their games this season for 16 points.
The Red Wings never trailed at Lac la Biche. Nolan Noskey opened the scoring before Patrick Bourque tied it 1-1. Noah Cunningham’s goal put the Red Wings ahead to stay.
The Red Wings blew the game open in the second period with four straight goals. Tate Paul and Cunningham scored in the first 10 minutes of the period, then Ty Cunningham and Noskey’s second of the night in the final 2:07 made it 6-1.
Noskey’s third goal of the night opened the scoring in the third. Noah Cunningham and Harlan Noskey made it 9-1 with just under eight minutes left.
Raiden Perkins scored twice for the Pioneers in the final three minutes to make it 9-3 but the Red Wings had taken their foot off the gas pedal long before the end of the game in anticipation of their showdown with the Eagles on home ice the next night.
The Eagles stormed out of the gate back in High Prairie. Mason Buzzell scored twice and Austin Berezowkski added the other to give the Eagles a quick 3-0 lead by the halfway point of the first period.
However, Noah Cunningham replied with a pair of goals to close the gap to 3-2.
Noah Cuningham continued his dominance as he scored to tie the game early in the second. Noskey gave the Red Wings a 4-3 lead before the period was a minute old at 5-4.
Landy Johnson tied it for the Eagles 5-5 shortly after as the teams continued to battle.
Jordan Anderson gave the Red Wings the last lead they would enjoy but in the last 10 minutes of the period Andras Kehl scored twice while Buzzell added another and the Eagles led 7-5.
Ty Cunningham closed the gap to 7-6 with just under five minutes left to set up an exciting third period.
In the third, the teams settled down to play a bit more defence. Kelton Noskiye tied the game 7-7 with 9:20 left setting up overtime.
Kehl’s third goal of the game at the 3:25 mark sent the visitors home happy and still undefeated.
Oct. 19 against the Pioneers it was all Red Wings, as it usually is when the two clubs battle. The Red Wings led 2-0 after one period and 8-1 after two.
Ty Cunningham scored three goals to lead the attack while Ervin Crowchild scored twice. Noskey, Barrett Butcher, Kaden Desjarlais, Noah Cunningham and Noah Hamelin added the others in the rout.
Zachary Okemow scored both goals for the Pioneers in the loss.
Next week features an early season showdown for the Red Wings. They host the undefeated Eagles Oct. 25 before making the return trip to Edson the next night.