Chris Clegg
South Peace News
When your goal is to win a league title, earning three points in your first three games is not exactly the start to the season you might like.
Just ask Falher Pirates’ coach Dan Aubin after his team lost a hard-fought 3-1 home ice decision to the Grande Prairie Athletics Nov. 2.
“Starting 1-1-1 is not the goal but the two games we lost we could have just as easily won,” says Aubin.
“We are not satisfied with the start to the season but we have an opportunity here to change that.”
The A’s came to town and brought their “A” game with solid defence. As if they did not have enough riches, they trotted out goaltender Cam Beson who stopped 27 of 28 shots to record the win in his first NPHL game.
Brett Edwards’ power play goal in the first period gave the Pirates the lead. Little did they know it would be the only puck they would put past Beson on the night.
In the second, the A’s tied the game 1-1 when Rylan Norton’s shot beat goaltender Ryan Noble, who dropped to 0-2 to start the season.
In the third, Darby Berg scored in the second minute to give the A’s the lead. They then played a solid defensive game by only allowing the Pirates eight shots in the period. Matt Davis sealed the win with an empty net goal with 28 seconds left.
“One mistake in our D zone and it found the back of the net in the third,” says Aubin.
However, good teams will punish mistakes.
“A little more attention to detail is required,” lamented Aubin.
It certainly wasn’t that the Pirate played poorly. They limited the A’s to only 23 shots.
“I don’t think we gave them much either,” says Aubin.
The line is so thin between good teams it is a struggle for each team to gain an advantage.
“We didn’t capitalize on our opportunities once again,” says Aubin.
“We had ample chances on the power play, especially in the third period and in particular on that five-on-three (in the second). Score (in the third) and we tie up the game and the momentum is on our side.”
The Pirates scored only once in six power play chances.
Aubin credited the A’s with a solid effort.
“Grande Prairie played a well-structured game and did a good job protecting between the dots.”
On a positive note, the Pirates’ penalty killing continues to sizzle. They blanked the A’’s on three chances and have yet to surrender a power play goal in nine chances this season.
“Guys take pride in it and it’s something that we’re always reviewing and tweaking,” says Aubin.
The Pirates only play once next week when they travel to winless High Prairie Nov. 7.
“I expect a physical game, a packed and loud rink,” says Aubin.
“High Prairie is a smaller rink so we’ have to adjust our game for that. We will need to weather the storm early in first period.
“The guys will be ready and are looking forward to the challenge,” he concludes.
