Chris Clegg
South Peace News
When you’re at hot as the Falher Pirates are right now, it’s hard to find fault in any part of their game.
The Pirates blanked the visiting Valleyview Jets 3-0 on Nov. 15, then made the long trip to Fort St. John and returned home with a 4-1 win the next night over the winless Flyers.
Giving up only one goal in two games! No matter what league, that’s pretty good stuff!
Pirates’ coach Dan Aubin likes what he sees.
“I feel that we’ve improved in our defensive zone as the season has progressed but there are still things to clean up,” he says.
Goaltender Ryan Noble was outstanding in the two wins stopping all 36 Jets’ shots in the shutout win and 30 of 31 shots at Fort St. John. That’s 66 saves on 67 shots (sparkling save percentage of .985).
“Our goaltending has been excellent so far this year,” says Aubin.
“In both games this weekend Noble was key to our PK (penalty killing), he came up with some big saves when called upon.”
The Pirates have killed off all 19 PPs against them this season. Along with the Dawson Creek Canucks, who have killed off all 20 against them, the two teams are the only NPHL clubs in over 30 years to kill off every PP chance through their team’s first six games.
“Good defensive play takes a total team effort and is key for us to be successful,” says Aubin, whose team has given up only 10 goals in six games.
“The team is proud of its defensive stats so far this season.”
But you have to score at least once to win and the club is getting contributions from the entire roster. Isaiah Letendre scored the game-winner against the Jets in the first period. Tyrell Boucher made it 2-0 on the power play at the 12:08 mark before Letendre added his second of the night late in the period.
It was the only scoring during the contest, despite the Pirates firing 32 more shots on Jets’ goaltender Connor Johnson, who was making his season debut. He enjoyed a fine game himself is a losing effort stopping 47 of 50 shots.
At Fort St. John, Pat Rowan’s first period power play goal gave the Pirates the lead. It also marked the sixth straight game to open the season that the Pirates did not allow a first period goal.
Jayden Rothell scored the first of his two goals on the night in the second period, also on the power play as the Pirates clicked on three of eight chances during the night. Trevor Tokarz added the third power play goal just before the midway point of the period.
In the third, Nolan Lagace broke Noble’s bid for consecutive shutouts at the 11:46 mark before Rothwell’s empty-netter with 2:20 left sealed the win.
“The young guys in the lineup have been very good so far,” says Aubin.
“We’re trying to give them more responsibility as the season progresses.”
The Pirates travel to Grande Prairie Nov. 23 to play the Athletics. Hard to believe but the Pirates are 0-13 at the Swan City during regular season play in their history and will look to break the streak.
The Pirates return home for a rare Sunday afternoon game at 3 p.m. the next day.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge over the next four games,” says Aubin, noting the Pirates play High Prairie and Dawson Creek the following week.
“It will take everyone’s best to compete.”