Eagles go 1-1 to keep hold of second place in the South

By Dale Woodard on December 21, 2021.

The Lethbridge Eagles earned a 1-1 weekend heading into the Christmas break.

Facing the Cochrane Chaos Saturday afternoon at Nicholas Sheran Arena, the Eagles had a chance to close some ground on the South-leading Cochrane crew, but fell 4-2 despite a couple of late goals in Alberta Junior Female Hockey League play.

However, the Eagles were able to make a 1-1 weekend out of it thanks to a 6-2 road win over the Southern Sage Sunday night in Stavely.

With the .500 weekend, the Eagles complete the 2021 portion of their schedule at 14-5-1-0, five points back of the 17-2-0-0 Chaos and six points up on the Calgary Titans (11-7-1-0).

On Saturday against the Chaos, Jayel Dovichak and Kendi Lundell scored in the third for Lethbridge, but a late comeback wasn’t in the cards for the Eagles.

Hayley Whelen was in goal for Lethbridge.

On Sunday in Stavely, a four-goal second period had the Eagles taking flight with the win as Adria Lubert led the way with one goal and three assists.

Luca Canderan, Kendi Lundell, Skylar Colonna, Brooklyn Palmer and Kyra Greig added the other Eagles goals.

Abigail Mucha earned the win in goal for the Eagles.

The Eagles return to action in the new year Jan. 9 when they host the Chaos at noon at Nicholas Sheran Arena.

In Alberta Elite Hockey League play last weekend, the Lethbridge U18 Hurricanes picked up one of four points heading into the Christmas break.

The Canes were downed 4-3 in overtime by the Calgary Royals Saturday afternoon at Nicholas Sheran Arena and were edged 4-3 by the Okotoks Bow Mark Oilers on Sunday.

The losses put the Hurricanes at 12-9-3 and in third place in the South Division, six points back of the Calgary Buffaloes (16-8-1) for second place in the South and one up on the Airdrie CFR Bisons (10-7-6).

On Sunday, the Canes led 2-0 after the first period and 3-2 after the second, but a pair of Oilers goals in the third – including the winner from Owen McFarlane with 2:34 remaining – paced the visitors to the win.

Braigh LeGrandeur, Ty Fraser and Peyton Twigg scored for Lethbridge.

Beck Boiteau stopped 36 of 40 shots in the loss.

The Hurricanes led the Royals late into the third period on Saturday before Nathan Free scored for Calgary with 3:19 remaining to force overtime.

Ethan Button scored 23 seconds into the extra frame to give the Royals the overtime win.

Carter Klippenstein scored twice for the Hurricanes and Blake Matheson added the other goal for the hosts.

Boiteau had a 25-save performance for Lethbridge.

The Canes are back Jan. 8 when they host the Edmonton Canadian (CAC) Gregg Distributors at 4:15 p.m. at Nicholas Sheran Arena and Jan. 9 when they entertain the Calgary (NW) Flames at 2:45 p.m, also at Nicholas Sheran Arena.

The Lethbridge U16 Headwater Hurricanes wrapped up 2021 on a 2-0 note and improved to 10-8-0 in the process, beating the Edmonton MLAC Leafs 5-1 Saturday and the Edmonton Knights of Columbus (KC) Centennials 8-1 Sunday at the Logan Boulet Arena.

The win moves the Canes into fourth place in the South Division with the Calgary Bulls (CBHA) and the Medicine Hat South East (SEAC) Tigers.

Alex Westlund and Adrien Fox each scored twice for the Hurricanes in Sunday’s win over the Centennials, while Ty Christie had one goal and three assists for a four-point afternoon.

Aidyn Law, Oakley Hill and Carter Cunningham added singles for Lethbridge.

Westlund added an assist for three points. Hill and Cunningham each had one helper for two points.

Brett Moch, Kasey Russell Jr. and Dayton Tailfeathers each had two assists.

Harrison DeJong earned the win with a 12-save performance.

Cunningham paced the Canes with two goals in Saturday’s decision over the Leafs.

Russell Jr. had one goal and three assists, Law had one goal and one assist and Connor Chapman added the other Lethbridge goal.

Kahil Wright kicked out 28 of 29 shots to earn the win.

The Hurricanes are back at the Logan Boulet Arena Jan. 9 when they host the Calgary Flames (NWCAA) at 11:45 a.m.

It’s the first of four in a row at home for the Canes.

The Lethbridge U15 Val Matteotti Golden Hawks wrapped up the first half of the season with a close 2-1 loss to the Okotoks Oilers Sunday at Nicholas Sheran.

On Saturday, the Hawks were defeated 7-3 by the Calgary Royals in Calgary and are 3-18-0 to close out the first half of the season.

Kayson Christian was the Lethbridge goal scorer on Sunday, opening the scoring in the first period before the Oilers scored once in the second and again in the third for the win.

Golden Hawks goaltender Brylin Noble stopped 29 of 31 shots.

On Saturday, the Royal and Golden Hawks were tied 1-1 after the first period, but three second period goals paced Calgary to a 4-2 lead after 40 minutes before the Royals added three more in the third to salt the win.

Hayden Iron Shirt, Briggs Olson and Dominic Grieco were the Golden Hawks goal scorers.

Seth Bird-Goodstriker stopped 15 of 21 shots for the Golden Hawks, while Brylin Noble played 1:01, facing one shot.

The Golden Hawks kick off 2022 at home when the Fort Saskatchewan Enhance It Rangers pay a visit to Nicholas Sheran Arena at 1:30 p.m.

In South Central Alberta Hockey League play the Lethbridge U18 Hockey Hounds completed 2021 on a busy note with three games, going 0-2-1.

The Hockey Hounds tied the Medicine Hat Hounds 2-2 Friday night at Henderson Arena, but fell 6-2 to the Okotoks Oilers Saturday, also at Henderson Arena.

In Calgary on Sunday, Lethbridge fell 4-2 to the CRAA Gold.

The two losses and the tie puts the Hockey Hounds at ().

Braeden Jack and Caden Still were the Lethbridge goal scorers Sunday in Calgary.

Still added an assist for two points.

Goaltender Ryan Dekok turned aside 42 of 45 shots.

Against Okotoks on Saturday, Ashton Angle scored in the second period for the Hockey Hounds and Zac Rajcic scored with 1:53 left in the game.

Cooper Miller and Drew Constant were the Hockey Hounds goal scorers in Friday’s tie with Medicine Hat.

Griffin McCulloch and Rajcic each had two assists.

Dekok was busy in goal, stopping 49 of 51 shots.

The Hockey Hounds return to action in 2022 Jan,. 2 when they take on the Calgary NWCAA Stamps in Calgary.

The Hockey Hounds first home game is Jan. 14 against the Taber Golden Suns at 7:30 p.m. at Nicholas Sheran Arena.

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