Lesleigh Campbell | Special to the 51暗网
The U15 Bearcats played their last two regular season games this past weekend, here at home. The first game was on Saturday, against Fort McMurray, and the second was on Sunday against Barrhead.
For starters, it was very impressive that Fort McMurray drove all the way to Jasper to play hockey. This was the first time the Bearcats had the pleasure of meeting this team on the ice, and they really didn't know what to expect.
The first period got started with a few close calls and big saves by Jasper's goaltender, Brady 鈥淪oupy鈥� Campbell. Followed by Bode Hofhuis passing the puck down the ice to Jackson Irwin who whipped it across to Drew Kovacs for a beauty goal. Fort McMurray answered that with a goal of their own, only to have Kovacs come back and score another. The Bearcats were up 2-1 after 20 minutes.
The second period didn't go so well for Jasper. Unable to capitalize on their opportunities, the Bearcats didn't score at all this period. Fort Mac, on the other hand, were able to get three goals, putting them up 4-2.
In the third period, Carson Campbell scored his signature wrap around goal, followed by Kovacs passing the puck down the ice to Irwin who found the back of the net like he tends to do. The score remained tied at four until Campbell scored the tie breaker with approximately two minutes left. Carson Miller with the helper. And just when it seemed like Jasper was about to take this one, with seven seconds left in the game, Fort McMurray scored the heartbreaking tying goal. The game ended in a 5-5 tie.
The Barrhead Bruins came to town the next day, and the Jasper Bearcats mentally prepared themselves, after losing 8-1 to them one week prior.
But something was different this time. Whether it was a boost in confidence, or a good night's sleep, Jasper came out and fought hard. The Bruins were still the first to score, but it wasn't until 13 minutes into the game, and the Bearcats answered back, first with Kovacs passing to Campbell who was waiting in front of the net to jab it in. And then Casey Peel passed up to Kovacs who found Irwin to net goal number two for Jasper.
In the second period Campbell scored back-to-back goals to complete his hat-trick, followed by Irwin finding the back of the net one more time. Barrhead ended the period by getting their second goal of the game, but Jasper was up 5-2 at this point.
The third period was when things started to get interesting. The Bruins scored back-to-back goals, and then a few minutes later, back-to-back goals again. Just like that, they were up 6-5. But the Bearcats weren't going down that easily. With four minutes left in the game, Kovacs tied it back up with some help from Campbell and Irwin. And although Jasper was still outshot 60-29, this game ended in a 6-6 tie.
Having the season finish off with two ties wasn't at all what we had anticipated. But we'll take it. The Bearcats now await an announcement with the date and time of their first playoff game.
