Chris Clegg
South Peace News
What started out as a season filled with promise has quickly gone off the skids.
The High Prairie Regals were blasted 22-3 at Dawson Creek Nov. 9, only two days after suffering a 14-1 home ice loss to the Falher Pirates (please see story and game summary on page 18). The blowouts came on the heels of a spirited 3-1 opening night loss to the defending champion Spirit River Rangers and a 4-3 loss at Valleyview.
The season is certainly not lost, as each team makes the playoffs after the 20-game grind. The Regals constant shuffling of players in and out of the lineup while trying to find the best combination will clearly take some time.
About the only positive that came from the game at Dawson Creek is that – somehow – it was not the Regals’ worst defeat in the B.C. city. That right is reserved for a 21-1 loss on Dec. 8, 2021. The Canucks are now a sparkling 11-1-1 all-time vs the Regals at the Memorial Arena.
The Canucks scored early and often, taking a 5-0 lead before the five-minute mark. Continued breakdowns left Canucks players all alone in front and the Regals’ netminders left to fend for themselves. Good teams will punish you and the Canucks are a good team.
Wes Shipton became the first NPHL player in 10 years to score six goals in a game. He scored twice in the first period, added three in the second and one in the third, to go along with a lone assist.
Four other Canucks recorded at least five points. Brett Norman scored twice and added five assists to record seven points while Kole Norris scored three times and added three assists. John Wayne Howes suited up for his first game of the season and scored once and added five assists while Alex Hanson scored twice and added three assists.
Kris Desjarlais added a hat trick but fell one point short of five with a lone assist. Evan Weaver added two goals while Matt Schmermund, Braeden Allkins and Sam Brennan each scored once.
Tristan Auger scored his first NPHL goal and added an assist for High Prairie. Drake Cunningham and Gord Laderoute added the other markers.
The Regals were outshot 69-22. Keygan Okemow gave up 20 goals while Emile Kapp surrendered a pair.
The Canucks enjoyed period leads of 8-1 and 14-2.
The Regals get a week off before the Grande Prairie Athletics come to town Nov. 16. Then it is off to Spirit River Nov. 23 and back home to Falher on Nov. 28.