Sometimes an old-fashioned rivalry game is just what the doctor ordered to get a team’s season back on track!
The Falher Pirates, defending champions of the NPHL but who were sputtering out of the gate with a 2-3 record in five games this season, blitzed the upstart hometown High Prairie Regals 10-4 on High Prairie Light-Up Night Nov. 28.
The Pirates spoiled the party in front of an excellent crowd of about 600-700, which was also celebrating the Teddy Bear Toss for local charity in addition to several Light-Up events in town earlier in the day.
And it also showed the improving Regals still have a lot of work to do to compete with the NPHL’s elite.
The teams were tied 2-2 in the first period but the Pirates scored twice before the end of the frame to take a 4-2 lead.
In the second period, the Pirates padded their lead to 6-2 but the Regals fought back again to close the gap to two goals at 6-4. A late goal made it 7-4. All five second period goals were scored in a 3:09 span as fans definitely did not want to go to the concession stand for popcorn during the scoring spree.
But the Pirates kept coming, and added three goals in the third to complete the rout. The Regals were game in the third and never gave up, outshooting the Pirates 20-13 but they could not put the puck past Pirates’ goaltender Chris Key, who stopped 44 of 48 shots on the night.
Veteran Pat Rowan scored twice and added three assists to lead the Pirates. Tyrell Boucher scored twice and added two assists and Jayden Rothwell added five assists. Isaiah Letendre, Eric Dentinger, Trevor Tokarz and Kayle Dierker each scored once and added an assist while Walker Cote did one better by scoring once and adding two assists. Aaron Kuhn added the other goal.
The Pirates clicked on three of seven power play chances with Cote, Dentinger and Boucher scoring.
Former Pirate Robert Lemay scored twice for High Prairie (his first two goals of the season) while Braydan Auger and Larry Yellowknee scored the other goals.
The Regals were blanked on their three power plays but they did outshoot the Pirates 48-45.
The Fox Creek Knights pay a visit to High Prairie Dec. 6. It is the last home game until Jan. 3 when Grande Prairie comes to town.
With only eight home games this season, each team in the league has a considerable break between home games.
Chris Clegg
South Peace News