Storm - 2 at Crusaders - 4

For the second time in as many meetings this season, the Sherwood Park Crusaders came out on top of the Storm in a game dominated by special teams play.  The two teams combined for 17 power plays on the night, with the Crusaders going 2 for 9, while the Storm went 1 for 8 while adding a shorthanded goal.

The Storm dug themselves an early hole that they were never fully able to dig out of.  Despite out shooting the Crusaders 8-2 at one point in the first period, the Storm found themselves down 2-0 on the scoreboard, thanks to a goal 44 seconds in by Cody Irving, and a 5 on 3 power play goal by Peter Quenneville that deflected off of a Storm defender and behind Lino Chimienti, who was making his first regular season start for the Storm.  The teams traded goals in the second, with Tanner Fritz scoring shorthanded and Spencer Mault on the power play for the Storm, while Jesse Koch had both Crusader goals. 

RANDOM THOUGHTS:
The Storm had to play the final two periods of the game without assistant captain Caylen Walls, who was thrown out of the game late in the first period after picking up a checking from behind penalty.  It was the second straight game that the Lyalta native had gotten an early taste of the showers, an issue that did not impress coach Mike Vandekamp, who claims he needs the veteran to stay in the game to help with his young blueline. 

Rookie Daniel Dale hamdled himself very well in his first junior hockey fight.  After being jumped by Crusaders rookie JC Heck in the second period, Dale quickly recovered and landed several good shots to the slightly larger Sherwood Park forward.

I will not question that Patrick Terriss is a good goaltender.  But I do question some of his actions on the ice.  The second anyone from the opposition is anywhere near him, he is flopping around and acting as if he has been shot. As well, the way he showboated after the win right in the face of Storm captain Darren Kramer could come back to haunt him before the season is out.  Junior hockey players have long memories, and actions like those of the Crusader goaltender after the game last night should serve as motivation to Storm forwards in future meetings.

SCORING SUMMARY
Grande Prairie Storm - 2   at Sherwood Park Crusaders - 4

1st Period:
1. SP  Cody Irving (2) (Andrew Rudzitis, Colby Croft) 0:44
2. SP  Peter Quenneville (1) (Josh Lee, Michael Small) 15:17 (PP)
Penalties:
Matt Hunter SP (Holding) 2:!6, Adam Burns SP (Hooking) 2:45, Caylen Walls GP (Cross Check) 8:44, Josh Lee SP (Cross Check) 11:39, Cam McWilliam GP (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 14:04, Matt Cumming GP (Tripping) 14:58, Colby Croft SP (Holding) 15:50, Caylen Walls GP (Checking From Behind and Game Ejection) 17:02
Shots - GP - 8  SP - 7
2nd Period:
3. GP  Tanner Fritz (1) (Ben Woodley, Mathew Chrystian) 1:44 (SH)
4. SP Jesse Koch (1) (Josh Lee) 9:23 (PP)
5. GP  Spencer Mault (1) (Mitch Neumeier, Matt Cumming) 10:30 (PP)
6. SP Jesse Koch (2) (Cody Irving, Adam Burns) 13:20
Penalties:
Josh Phillips GP (Slashing) 0:49, Ben Woodley GP (Interference) 6:17, Mathew Chrystian GP (Cross Checking) 9:02, Zach Ovics SP (Cross Checking) 10:01, Darren Kramer GP (Slashing)  Jessi Hilton SP (Roughing After Whistle) 13:48, Mitch Neumeier GP (Roughing After Whistle) 15:00, JC Heck SP (Instigating, Fighting, Misconduct) Daniel Dale GP (Fighting) 18:31
Shots - GP - 5/13 SP - 19/26
3rd Period:
No Scoring
Penalties:
Zach Ovics SP (Tripping) 4:28, Matt Cumming GP (Goaltender Interference) 7:30, Colby Croft SP (Checking from Behind, Game Ejection) 16:28.
Shots - GP - 12/25  SP - 7/35
Power Plays - SP - 2/9   GP - 1/8
Goalie Stats - Terriss SP (W, 3-0, 23/25)  Chimienti GP (L, 0-1, 31/35)
3 Stars - 1. Koch SP  2. Irving SP  3. Mault GP