The Slave Lake Winterhawks closed out their regular season on Sunday, beating the Lamont Bruins 6 – 2. The only team to have beaten the ‘Hawks this season, the Bruins were at least competitive.
“They’ve got a pretty good hockey club,” says Winterhawks’ Coach Pat McGill. “It was a great game. I wish we played 20 games like that.”
The ‘Hawks had considerable jump in their game from the start, firing 22 shots on goal in the first period, to Lamont’s seven. But the score was just 2 – 1 for the home team after 20 minutes.
Scoring for Slave Lake in that frame were Brent Blachford and on the powerplay, Jeff Green.
The ‘Hawks’ chances were fewer in the second period, but the result was the same – two goals. Blachford and Scott Sinclair did the honours, and the home team led by four goals to one after 40 minutes.
When Brian Bouchard scored Slave Lake’s fifth goal midway through the third, Lamont switched goalies. The new guy got some work, facing 11 shots and stopping 10 of them in a bit over nine minutes of work. Jason Green scored on him to make it 6 – 1 for Slave Lake. A late Lamont goal on Winterhawk netminder Calvin Beauchamp finished off the scoring.
The Winterhawks’ Saturday game against Onoway did not happen – Onoway having called earlier to forfeit the contest.
The four points added to the ‘Hawks lead in the regular season standings. In first place overall, they are assured of home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. Since the team almost always plays better (with more players) at home, that’s important.
The playoffs for the ‘Hawks begin this Saturday, Feb. 4 in Fox Creek against the Bandits in a best-of-three series.
Games 2 and 3 are scheduled for Slave Lake on Feb. 11 and 12.
Lamont plays the Westlock Wolfpack in the other North Division semi-final. In the south, first-place Jasper tangles with fourth-place Edson and second-place Drayton Valley takes on the Hinton Heat.
The playoffs have additional significance, in that the champion gets to represent the league at the provincial Sr. ‘A’ championships. So the defending provincial champion Winterhawks must win the league in order get a chance to defend their provincial title. Lamont and Drayton Valley are the other two teams from the league who have applied to play in the provincials.

Copyright © 2000 The Lakeside Leader. All Rights Reserved.
No part may be reproduced without written permission.

View our Privacy Statement.
Send website suggestions to the Webmaster