With two weeks remaining in the regular season, the races to determine the President's Cup champion as well as the North and South Division champions are very close in each division.
In the North Division, the Westlock Warriors split 2 games last weekend, which may have taken them out of the President's Cup race, but kept them in first place in the North Division, one point up on second place Devon Barons, who also won their game on the weekend.
Westlock opened the weekend on the road with an entertaining overtime win over 3rd place Bonnyville Pontiacs 6-5. The teams played even through 3 periods until the Warrior's Kyle Dronyk (2-1-3) scored his second of the night in OT to lead his team to the win. Others to score for the Warriors were Jesse Morrison, Zach Mills with two, and Blair Boulerice. Recently signed goaltender Spencer Hutson picked up his first NCHL win in his first start. Replying for the Pontiacs were Coltan Buchta with two, Thomas Rosenberger, Mark Ouelette, and Dallas Desjarlais. Ryan Weitzel (2-1) took the loss. With their loss and Devon's win, Bonnyville dropped to third place, 2 points behind the Barons.
Westlock hosted Camrose on Sunday, and after giving the South Division Red Deer Rustlers all they could handle on Saturday, the Bruins pulled an upset, dropping the Warriors 4-2. Bruins goaltender Connor Dobberthein was in prime form as he turned away 60 of 62 Warrior's shots to backstop his team to the win. Lane Lightning led the way offensively with 2 goals, while newly acquired Shawn Rowe scored the winner, with Matt Hillyers also scoring for the Bruins. Replying for the Warriors was AJ Kupsch with two, and Goaltender Keegan Richards was saddled with the loss.
Also in the North Division on Saturday, the Devon Barons laid one on the Morinville Kings to the tune of 17-0 in Devon. Not much to say about this one as Morinville has struggled mightily this season and lost their 6th in a row since their only win on November 25th over Red Deer. This game was all Devon as they posted 9-0 and 14-0 period leads. The Barons were lead by rookie Chris Van Os Shaw (4-2-6), Dayton Heino (3-1-4), Austin Cunningham (2-2-4), Braiden Doucette (1-2-3), Terrell Vekved (1-1-2), Cody Issler (1-2-3), Max McPeak (1-2-3), Brandon Powlik (2-1-3), Adam Kelly (2-0-2), and Josh Dugas (0-4-4). Goaltender Jordan Cooke had a relatively easy night stopping all 17 shots the Kings sent his way. The King's Ryan Papirny took the loss in a game that the Kings only dressed one goaltender.
In the South Division, Red Deer, Wetaskiwin, and Lacombe find themselves in a 3-way tie for first place, with Lacombe having played one more game than the others.
Red Deer hosted Camrose on Saturday and pulled out a hard fought 3-1 win. Bruins goaltender Paul Laferriere was outstanding despite taking the loss as he turned away 53 of 56 Red Deer shots. Dylan Houston (1-2-3) had a strong game for the Rustlers, with defenseman Gabe Bast (1-1-2) and Donovan Lumb also scoring, and veteran Tyler Berkholtz chipped in with (0-3-3). Rustler's netminder Brodan Salmond picked up his league leading 7th win of the season, with William Raymond's short handed tally being the only goal he surrendered.
In Wetaskiwin, the hometown Longhorns pulled out a tight 4-3 win over Lacombe to pull into a first place tie. Again, goaltending was the difference as the Generals outshot the Longhorns to the tune of 61-29, and only the stellar play of Longhorn's goaltender Nick Schneider kept his team in the game. Ryley Bennefield and Jake Mytikiuk both scored twice for the Longhorns, while Thomas Beretta (1-1-2), Cam Maclise (1-1-2) and Colin Zimmer replied for the Generals. Travis Yonkman took the loss, his first of the season.
Photo Credits to Looking Back Photography, Wetaskiwin
Kyle Fecho (4) and others helping out their goalie
Tough going in front of the Longhorn's net.
There are some important games on tap for this weekend:
In the North Division, on Saturday, Bonnyville is in Morinville. A win for the Pontiacs keeps them in contention for the Division crown. Devon is in Westlock on Saturday for a first place showdown with the Warriors. Devon currently holds a 2-1 series advantage over Westlock.
In the South Division, Wetaskiwin is at home on Saturday to Camrose, and then they hit the road on Sunday for a first place showdown with the Red Deer Rustlers. NOTE - this game will be played in Innisfail as Red Deer could not get ice for this rescheduled game from January 13th. A Red Deer win will even their season series with the Longhorns should they end up tied. Also on Saturday, the Rustlers head north to Lacombe for their last meeting of the season. Lacombe is in a must win situation if they hope to repeat as President's Cup champions. The Rustlers currently hold a 2-1 series lead over the Generals.
