VOYAGEURS SPLIT PAIR OF TILTS WITH THUNDER TO WRAP UP EXHIBITION SEASON
EDMONTON & LAC LA BICHE – It's still the exhibition season – but don't tell that to the Portage College Voyageurs and the Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder. The two hockey squads played a pair of spirited, entertaining games over the weekend, with each one wining in the other's barn. And while they weren't in mid-season form, both teams showed promising signs with the 24-25 regular season just around the corner.
On Friday night at Clareview Arena, led by Xavier Halterman's four points, the Voyageurs skated away with a 4-1 victory for their first win of the exhibition season. Erza Baer added a goal and an assist, with Mikal Chalifoux and Ethan Aebly adding markers in the win.
"It was another even game," said Head Coach Kevin McClelland. "Their team played well, we played pretty decent for going on the road and the outcome was in our favour."
Saturday night's return engagement at the Bold Center in Lac La Biche was a seesaw affair with a heartbreaking ending for Voyageurs' fans. Down 3-1 after two periods, the home squad came out flying in the final frame, outshooting Concordia 16-1 by the 10-minute mark and scoring four unanswered goals – including two on a lengthy five-on-three powerplay – to take a 5-3 lead halfway through the third. Tye Evans scored twice to lead the charge, with Ethan Aebly and Noland McDonald adding single tallies to build on Halterman's first-period marker.
"We knew after last night that (the Thunder) were going to come out with a purpose," said McClelland. "They did and we were having problems getting the puck out of our own zone in the first period. But, you know, we came back there. Thankfully, we got some powerplay opportunities and took a lead."
The lead was short-lived, however. Aided a lengthy five-on-three of their own, the Thunder roared back to tie the game and then pot the winner with 14 seconds left in regulation. Final score: 6-5 Concordia.
"We gave it back to them by taking penalties," said McClelland. "When you're on a five on four, you can't give the referee any excuse to give you a five on three against. I know it's sometimes hard to do but you've just got to be careful in those situations."
As he works with his coaching staff to prepare his players for the regular season (which kicks off October 18 against the Thunder), the four-time Stanley Cup champion is grateful he still has time to work out the remaining kinks in the Voyageurs' game.
"We did some good things last night, we did some good things tonight, but we also did some bad things," said McClelland. "So we've still got some work to do but thankfully, we've got a little time before the regular season starts."
Oct. 4 Players of the Game – no POGs awarded
Oct. 5 Players of the Game
- CUE: #13 Nikolai Morrison
* Portage: #21 Tye Evans
