Chris Clegg
South Peace News
It seems unlikely the Falher Pirates will place first or third in the NPHL’s East Division as the regular season winds down.
But you never know! Stranger things have happened!
The Pirates took care of business Jan. 19 as they defeated the visiting Fox Creek Knights 5-2 to take a four-point lead on their division rivals. The Pirates have four games left, the Knights three although the Knights would hold any tiebreaker based on total wins.
The Pirates still have their sights set on the first place Manning Comets, who they trail by two points. Each team has four games left including a crucial Jan. 26 game at Manning. Again, like the Knights, the Comets hold a tiebreaker so the Pirates still need some help. A loss to the Comets would virtually end any hopes of first, however, and depending on earlier results in the week the game could decide first.
The Pirates face a schedule this week that is as tough as it gets. The travel to Spirit River Jan. 23, Dawson Creek Jan. 25, then Manning Jan. 26 for a makeup game. Other than the Pirates, they are the top three teams in the league. The Canucks and Rangers are also battling for first in the West Division and all four teams are battling for first overall and the top seed so every point is crucial.
The Pirates took control of the game against the Knights early. Bailey Tokarz scored the first of his two goals on the afternoon to open the scoring before Josh Sylvain made it 2-0.
In the second period, the Pirates again outscored the Knights 2-0 to take a 4-0 lead. Cruz Cote and Jayden Rothwell scored in the first 10 minutes of the period. It marked five straight periods this season the Knights failed to score at Falher having been blanked 3-0 earlier.
In the third period, the Knights rallied. Ty Mappin scored in the first minute to break the ice. Then Christian Kenny’s goal with 3:58 left made it interesting. Both goals were scored on the power play.
However, Tokarz scored into an empty net to seal the important two points.
The Pirates outshot the Knights 44-27 in the game including 34-9 in the first two periods as the Pirates’ vaulted defence shut the door on the Knights, who defeated the Rangers 7-4 the previous night at home.