By Kyle Legouffe

The Briercrest men’s hockey team was in Fort McMurray to play game one of two against the Keyano College Huskies. The game was fast paced and action packed as both teams were throwing the body. Keyano came out on top by the score of 7-1. The final shot count was Briercrest 20 and Keyano 42.

The first period had a fast pace to it as both teams came out hard and hungry. Briercrest had some good scoring opportunities on seven shots, but could not put the puck past the Huskies goaltender. Keyano was able to direct 10 shots on Briercrest goalie Jesse Chenard and were able to score two, with one coming on the power play. There was a penalty for each team as Branden Whitehawk took a tripping penalty and Keyano took a minor penalty for elbowing.

The second stanza saw Briercrest fall behind by a score of 5-0. Keyano outshot Briercrest 15-6 in the period and had the only power play as Dan Stollery was ushered to the sin bin for kneeing. Briercrest’s head coach Dalton Stoltz made the move to pull starter Jesse Chenard after the fifth Husky goal and put in back-up Christian Mueller. The middle frame had a physical pace to it as both sides were throwing their weight around.

The final frame consisted of Briercrest scoring the first goal of the period, as Caleb Willems was able to bang in a rebound in front as they were on the power play. The period had a few penalties as Briercrest took one and Keyano had a parade to the penalty box taking four minor penalties. Back up goalie Christian Mueller was able to stop all but two shots he faced and was able to make some highlight reel glove saves that got the Briercrest bench loud. The Huskies outshot Briercrest 27-14 in the final period.

The player of the game awards were given to Caleb Willems for Briercrest and Steve Axford for Keyano. Willems was the lone goal scorer for Briercrest, and Axford was able to help his Huskies to the victory.

Up next for Briercrest hockey is another date with the Keyano Huskies at the Casman Centre in Fort McMurray, Alberta tomorrow afternoon with puck drop at 2pm. This game the Briercrest men’s hockey team will try and get coach Stoltz his first ACAC win, as well as the team's first win of the season.