The Midget Bearcats have been busy in 2014.
Since the New Year rolled in, they have played three games. Two at home; one against Mayerthorpe that ended in a 6–6 draw and another against Athabasca, in which the boys got a shutout. The third game was in Edson, where the the Bearcats won yet again.
Then on Sunday, the team started a three-game homestand with a victory against a gritty team from Hinton.
The Jasper boys came out flying and scored three goals by the 11 minute mark. With hot shots from Alex Chorneyko and Bryn Malcolm, the team was off to a good start. That didn’t stop Hinton though; the team held Jasper off the scoreboard for the rest of the period, with hard skating and back checking. Chase Thompson was now in his seventh period of a shutout.
With Traudi Golla trying out her new music playlist, the second period started with a power play goal by J.J. Keogan, who capitalized on a Hinton mistake after receiving the puck from Connor Malcolm.
Four minutes later, Hinton fought right back with its own power play goal.
The Bearcats traded goals with Hinton until the last three minutes, when another passing play from Noah Bielec and Chorneyko allowed Connor Malcolm his third point of the game. Jack Hilworth used a loose puck in front of the net to secure the second period at 7–2.
Hinton was not giving up and started the third period as fast paced as they had at the beginning of the game. Bentley Fawcett used his tenacity and skill to strip the puck in the offensive zone and bury it for his first point of the game.
For a moment Jasper got excited and put too many men on the ice, with Marley Pollock serving one for the team. Hinton got into the play and pushed the Bearcats to work hard to secure their end. This aggressive play served the opposition well as the next two goals went on the visitor side of the scoreboard.
Shots on net were almost tied, however, the score did not reflect the strength of the Hinton players. The defensive lines of Bielec, Nathan Poirier, Pollock and Jordan Overaker worked hard in front of the netminder to hold off the talented Hinton forwards.
Although Bearcat forwards Ty Bielec and Eric Paukstat didn’t put points on the scoresheet, their skill at killing penalties, as well as their hard work held the team to a positive vibe.
The final five minutes saw a flurry of shots by both teams, but the Bearcats were the only team that saw two more pucks pass the goal line for a final score of 10–4.
The Midget Bearcats will be playing their final two games of the regular season at home. The first is Saturday, Jan. 25 at 5 p.m. versus Mayerthorpe. This should be a great game against a team only three points behind Jasper in the standings. The final regular game will be Sunday, Jan. 26 at 1:15 p.m. versus Whitecourt.
Come out and see some exciting, fast-paced hockey!
ÌýTamar Couture
Special to the 51°µÍø
