By Kyle Legouffe

The Briercrest hockey team played the second of two games in Lac La Biche over the weekend and lost both the games. The team was dealing with a short bench as the injury bug has come through the dressing room. The final score was 8-2 for Portage.

First year head coach Dalton Stoltz has made adjustments all season, as he has had to deal with many different roadblocks. Stoltz coming into this season was dealing with a rather young team and has been able to grow the hockey program little bits at a time. This semester he was able to bring in four players, two of which have played on the team before. Both Kendall Hart and Mike Fischer have dawned the blue and gold, whereas Lucas Ford and Kyle Golz have played their first few games in the ACAC for Briercrest. These players have brought skill and size to a team that was rather small.

The opening 20 minutes had plenty of action as both teams were coming out taking the body. Portage took the first penalty of the game for roughing, but Briercrest could not put the puck in the net. They were however able to generate scoring opportunities around the Voyageur net. Portage opened the scoring, but Briercrest was able to come right back and tie the game. The three goals from yesterday’s game came on the power play and the power play clicked again as Lucas Ford was able to bang in a rebound that was lying in the Voyageur crease. Late in the period Briercrest ran into penalty trouble as Ryan Petersen took four minutes in penalties two for roughing and two for unsportsmanlike conduct. Manuel Schellenberg also took a minor penalty for slashing, Briercrest was able to weather the storm and escape the first period tied at one. The shots in the period were in favour of Portage 20-16.

The middle frame was not kind to Briercrest as they fell behind the eight ball. Portage was able to put four past Jesse Chenard, who has been solid in net for Briercrest. Chenard kept this game in reach by making some timely saves. Briercrest’s Ryan Petersen took yet another penalty, which was his third, Mike Fischer also, took a minor penalty for goaltender interference in the stanza. The shots in the period were 21-6

The final period was one that saw Briercrest fall short, as they could not come back from being down 5-1. Emotions ran high in the period as both teams took trips to the sin bin. Briercrest’s Manuel Schellenberg was shown the gate as he took a boarding minor, an unsportsmanlike conduct minor and a game misconduct. The shots for the third favoured Portage by the count of 15-6 and the game total was 56-28 for the Voyageurs. 

The player of the game award was given out to Lucas Ford of Briercrest and Kyle Lapenskie of Portage.

The Briercrest Men’s Hockey team will be back in action next weekend as they play host to the Concordia Thunder. Tune in online at www.sportscanada.tv for a live stream or the Briercrest Hockey Facebook page for intermission updates, photos, and other information.