Chris Clegg
South Peace News
It looks like the High Prairie Red Wings and Edson Eagles will be the class of the National Junior Hockey League again this season.
Both teams swept weekend games to begin their annual pull away from the pack act in the standings.
The Red Wings made it three wins in four starts with a 12-2 blowout win at Lac la Biche Oct. 5 against the Lakers. The next night, also on the road, they followed up their win with a hard-fought 5-4 win over the Mayerthorpe Lightning.
The Red Wings are now 3-1 with their only loss coming against the perfect 4-0 Eagles.
The Red Wings took control early in Lac la Biche by scoring five first period goals. The added five more in the second period and led 10-2.
Owen Paul, Kelton Noskiye, Matias Carafelle and Jordan Anderson staked the Red Wings to a 4-0 lead by the 12:31 mark of the period.
Patrick Bourque put the Lakers on the scoreboard but Carafelle quickly replied with his second of the game before the end of the period to make it 5-1.
In the second period, the onslaught continued. Kaden Desjarlais scored early at the 3:33 mark to make it 6-1. Nolan Noskey scored twice in 30 seconds shortly afterwards and the laugher was well underway.
Zach Beinert did provide a brief respite for the Lakers but Carafelle and Darius Baker scored goals to make it 10-2 before the end of the period.
Michael Loomis and Ethan L’Hirondelle added third period goals to complete the rout.
Shots on goal certainly did not indicate the lopsided play as the Red Wings outshot the Lakers 42-33.
About the only positive aspect for the Lakers is their misery was over quickly, the game was played in only 2:15 minutes.
The next night was a far more competitive match. The Red Wings never trailed but the Lightning kept the game close throughout.
Noskey and Noskiye scored first period goals for the Red Wings with Carter Bergseth bending the twine for the Lightning.
In the second period, Noah Sanderson tied the game but Noskiye’s second of the game and Cunningham’s first of the night gave the Red Wings a 4-2 lead after two periods.
In the third, the Lightning rallied. Jayden Okemow made it 4-3 with 12:25 left before Kayden Varga tied the game with 9:44 remaining.
But the Red Wings have not won four straight titles by accident – they always find a way to win. Carafelle provided the game-winning goal with 3:59 remaining with assists going to Ty Cunningham and Noskey.
The Lightning outshot the Red Wings 56-46 in the late Sunday night contest.
The Red Wings complete an early four-game road trip Oct. 12 when they return to Lac la Biche. The next day they welcome the Eagles to the Sports Palace in an early season showdown of the league’s best two teams. This time, however, the Red Wings are host. The Eagles won the previous meeting 7-1 on Sept. 28.