By Kyle Legouffe

Briercrest hockey is still looking for its first win of the season, as they were unable to pick up a “W” in Fort McMurray. The Keyano College Huskies were able to defend home ice as they came away with the 7-1 victory.

Coach Dalton Stoltz is also looking for his first ACAC win and he will have to wait another week as Briercrest will try on home ice as they play the Portage Voyageur.

The first period had a fast and furious pace as both teams were throwing the body and trying to gain the upper hand with momentum. Briercrest’s Manuel Schellenberg was able to dart in on a breakaway but could not find the back of the net as the Huskies’ goaltender made a blocker save. Schellenberg was involved in yet another scoring chance for Briercrest as he was on a two on one with Branden Whitehawk. Manuel delivered a beautiful saucer pass over to Whitehawk and he just put the puck high and off the crossbar. Keyano was the only team to take a penalty in the first and that was a two-minute minor for holding. The shots for period one were 10-4 in favour of the Huskies and Keyano was able to grab the only goal of the period.

The middle frame had huge hits and more scoring. Keyano was able to direct 15 shots on Briercrest goalie Jesse Chenard; Chenard was able to stop 12 of those shots, as the Huskies were able to increase their lead to 4-0. Briercrest had eight shots in the period and were able to generate a few scoring chances. The Huskies paraded to the sin bin as they took three penalties, on the other hand Briercrest took one penalty as Josh Dufresne was issued a two-minute minor for hooking.

The last 20 minutes saw Briercrest put up one goal, as Manuel Schellenberg was able to direct in a shot from Branden Whitehawk on the power play. The second assist went to Adam Voth. That is all the offence that Briercrest could come up with as Keyano put up three goals on 20 shots. Schellenberg also went to the penalty box for four minutes as he got given a butt-ending penalty. Josh Dufresne also took a penalty for boarding as the final stanza came to an end.  

The player of the game awards were given to Manuel Schellenberg for Briercrest, as he was the one to score the goal, and for Keyano Keenan Bailey received the award as he potted three goals to help the Huskies pick up the victory.

The team will be hosting the Portage Voyageur at Barkman Arena next weekend, as this will be their second time at home this season.