Chris Clegg
South Peace News
It is safe to say the Falher Pirates are on an historic roll.
Two more wins last week and the Pirates are now 6-1-0-1. Aside from the 13 points earned out of a possible 16, the statistic many are raving about is the Pirates have given up only 12 goals in eight games. It will take a lot of research to see if that has ever been done in the NPHL in his 70+year history.
The Pirates won 3-2 in Grande Prairie Nov. 23 marking the team’s first win in the Swan City in regular season play, provided both teams are members of the NPHL. The Pirates had lost 12 straight games since the Athletics’ NPHL arrival and had only an overtime loss to show for their efforts before the win.
About the only thing that went wrong for the sizzling Pirates last week was Aiden Brown’s first period goal to give the Athletics a 1-0 lead. It was the first goal given up by the Pirates in the first period all season and the first time the Pirates had not scored first all season in eight games.
No matter! Cruz Cote tied the game late in the period.
In the second period, Trevor Tokarz’s power play goal gave the Pirates the lead they would never surrender. Tyrell Boucher’s goal with 3:42 left in the period proved to be the game-winner.
In the third period, Mikkel Hrechka’s power play goal near the midway point closed the gap to 3-2 but there would be no more scoring.
The loss also marked the last team to lose a game when leading at any point this season. Dawson Creek, Falher and Manning has all lost when leading despite each team losing only once.
The next afternoon, the Pirates hosted Fox Creek in a rare Sunday game – the first of two this season between the clubs. The Pirates blanked the Knights 3-0 as Ryan Noble stopped all 17 shots fired his way to record his third win and second shutout this season.
Meanwhile, the Pirates dominated outshooting the Knights 53-17. Had it not been for goaltender Cole Steinke, who stopped 50 shots in the loss, it would have been much worse.
After a scoreless first period, Darren Brochu’s first of the season broke the scoreless deadlock at the 4:08 mark of the second period.
It would be the only goal the Pirates would need.
However, Walker Cote and Pat Rowan scored in the third period’s seventh minute only 53 seconds apart and the Pirates were home and cooled.
Both teams were blanked on the power play with Fox Creek failing to score in five chances and the Pirates skunked on four chances. The Pirates’ penalty kill continues to excel this season killing off 25 of 26 chances for a 96.15 kill rate. Hard to believe it’s not the best in the league; however, as the Dawson Creek Canucks have killed off all 24 chances against them.
The Pirates travel to High Prairie for a game Nov. 28 before returning home Nov. 30 for a much-anticipated first place showdown amongst division leaders when they welcome the Canucks.