Chris Clegg
South Peace News
What was a decent effort quickly turned ugly in the last 10 minutes of the Falher Pirates’ 8-2 win at High Prairie Nov. 28.
The Regals fought tooth and nail with their bitter rivals from the northwest and trailed 3-1 after two periods. However, an early goal sent the club into a tailspin. Through a plethora of needless and senseless penalties, the Regals played the last 10:17 of the game shorthanded. Lloyd Ah-Kim-Nachie (match penalty for attempt to injure by way of head contact on Isaiah Letendre) and Riley Prevost (instigating minor plus fighting major in the last 10 minutes of the third period after attacking Cale Fox) both face suspensions in upcoming trips to Fox Creek and – you guessed it! – Falher.
The response from the Pirates was not pretty.
“We’ve been to High Prairie twice now and have lost players for extended time for non-hockey and completely targeted plays,” says Pirates’ head coach Dan Aubin.
He did not mince words.
“Totally inexcusable and an absolute embarrassment to the game when things like that happen. This league is a working man’s league, players have jobs and families to go back to.”
To their credit, the Pirates did not take part in the shenanigans. They had a first place showdown with the Dawson Creek Canucks in two days – a game they won 3-1 – and did not want to risk suspension.
“We keep our discipline because there is respect for the opponent and the game, and Cale Fox was an example of that,” says Aubin.
Regals’ head coach Trent Meyaard chose to not comment except to say the team became frustrated.
Aubin was critical of the Regals’ organization which will surely add more fuel to a decades-old rivalry.
“Ultimately, it’s up to the organization, coaches and players to instill in their team (discipline) and have it as part of their team culture,” says Aubin.
He understands; however, the Regals’ troubles at 0-7 to start the season.
“I understand it is difficult losing games as an expansion team and there is level of frustration, but building a team takes time and acts of some players we saw in the last 10 minutes of the game make it difficult to build momentum, to attract players and to keep people engaged.”
Meyaard alluded to the frustration.
“A couple tough bounces,” he says.
“I thought the no call hit on Prevost at centre ice, then for them to go back down and score (to make it 4-1 on Pat Rowan’s goal) really deflated us.
“When you’re struggling to win games as we are right now, being down 4-1 can seem like a mountain when really it’s a small hill. We feel we should have a few wins right now and the guys have battled through a lot of adversity.
“Unfortunately, frustration reared its ugly head in the third period of the game.”
Bailey Tokarz opened the scoring with the first period’s only goal.
In the second, Thomas Cardinal tied the game. Although the Regals were being badly outshot (25-10 in the first period) they found themselves right back in the game. Jayden Rothwell and Cruz Cote gave the Pirates a 3-1 lead after two periods but the Regals still had a fighting chance.
But Rowan’s first of three third period goals was the backbreaker. Rothwell and Trevor Tokarz added the other Pirates’ goals while Michael Cardinal replied on a power play for High Prairie.
Despite playing the last 10 minutes shorthanded, the Pirates were only 3-for-8 on the power play but they did add a shorthanded goal from Letendre. The Regals clicked on one of four chances.
The Regals were assessed 69 minutes in penalties in the game compared to the Pirates’ 26.
“Physicality as part of the game is and always been part of hockey and something we all like to see,” says Aubin.
“Targeting specific players, and acts of pugilism in an obvious attempt to injure and complete disrespect towards officials have no place.
“All NPHL players need to have the league’s best interest at heart.”
Aubin suggested extra fines and/or suspensions, and stiffer penalties.
The game was not the only one last week where the NPHL had to deal with suspensions. Spirit River and Valleyview amassed 235 PIMs in their game Nov. 30 with several suspension to announced.
The NPHL executive did send an email to all teams Dec. 1 about the violence. Its contents are confidential.
Meyaard says the team will work on good habits and conditioning before going to Fox Creek Dec. 6. In an odd scheduling quirk, they get a second consecutive weekend off.
“We still haven’t been able to push the pace in the third like I want,” says Meyaard.
The Regals are planning a Teddy Bear Toss at their next home game Dec. 14 against the Fort St John Flyers.
“We hope everybody can come in hopes we can donate the teddy bears to numerous organizations before Christmas,” says Meyaard.
He invites anyone interested in donating to contact any member of the Regals.