This weekend was to see the Midget Bearcats finish off the regular season with two games, Saturday versus Mayerthorpe and Sunday versus Whitecourt. But, the arena fire on Sunday morning altered those plans and the Bearcats will have to make up the game against Whitecourt.
Saturday鈥檚 game against Mayerthorpe was an important one, though. It would help decide who would be first in the division, as the teams were only three points apart at the start of the game.
Jasper controlled the play for most of the first period. The Mayerthorpe goalie was forced to make a dozen saves before a sweet tic-tac-toe play from Alex Chorneyko to Connor Malcolm and finally to JJ Keogan, ended with the puck in the back of the net.
With two minutes left in the first, Mayerthorpe came right back and tied the game.
The second period started with a quick goal off a face-off, with Malcolm tucking it in the net, after passes from Marley Pollock and Chorneyko.
The play was quick and a bit chippy, with both teams alternating penalties. The graduating line of Chorneyko, Keogan and Malcolm finished the period with another goal.
After two the score was 3鈥�1 for Jasper.
Third period action started with a parade of Mayerthorpe players heading to the penalty box. This allowed Tristan Nissen and Bentley Fawcett to score two power play goals off passes from Bryn Malcolm, Jack Hilworth and Jordan Overacker.
Overacker followed up his assist with a goal of his own.
Noah Bielec scored the fourth goal of the period on another power play, following a beautiful pass from Nathan Poirier.
With Mayerthorpe reeling, it looked like Jasper had the game sewn up. However, a few well placed attacks from the opposition had Jasper starting its own multi-player walk of shame to the sin bin.
The Mustangs took full advantage of the five on three opportunities and scored two quick goals trying to get back in the game.
One more goal from Nissen clinched it for the home team.
With the referee trying to keep the game under control, the Bearcats had two more players sent to the box. The stellar play of Ty Bielec, Erik Paukstat and dominance in the net by Chase Thompson finished off the game with Jasper a victory.
Jasper will now have to wait until the end of next weekend to find out if the Bearcats are indeed in first place.
Playoffs are scheduled to begin Feb. 8.
Tamar Couture
Special to the 51暗网
