Many minor hockey games were cancelled around central Alberta due to heavy snowfall and unsafe road conditions last weekend.
Some teams did get to play despite the bad weather, mostly those who were close to home. Ponoka’s Bantam Tier 2 team finished off the weekend with a record of 2-2-2.
They won against Stettler Bantam B team 6-2 Nov. 17 at home, which left players with a positive feeling, said coach Dwayne Rausch. “We’ve got all skill levels there. It’s a good group, a real good attitude.”
He trains the players as if they were in a regular game and scrimmages always simulate what skating against their opponents would be like. Rausch feels these stronger practices give players valuable experience on the ice.
“It is fun to see when it comes together in the hockey game,” he added.
The Ponoka Peewee A hockey team played the Maskwacis Peewee A Chiefs Nov. 17 in Hobbema and defeated the Chiefs with a strong 11-2 points.
With 13:57 left in the first period Jayden Nokohoo scored the first goal, followed 10 seconds later with a score from Aidan Gratton. Then at 5:12 left in the first Noah Hacket scored and just seven seconds later Gratton made a second goal. The Chiefs fought back with a goal with three minutes left in the first.
The hat-trick of the game was made by Hackett, who scored one goal in the second period and the third goal at 19:26 in the third period. He made a fourth goal at 9:44 left with an assist from Seth Gratrix.
The Tier 1 Midget Wolves made the trip to their Nov. 17 game at Innisfail and lost with a close score of 5-4. This brings them to second place in the south division standings with 4-4-1. The Innisfail Kinsmen Flyers are undefeated with seven wins. The Barrhead Steelers in the north division are just behind the Flyers with a 7-1-1 record.
The Flyers took the lead with a goal less than one minute into the game and a second goal helped increase the gap five minutes later. The Wolves fought back and scored a goal one minute before the end of the first. Both teams scored one goal each in the second period and the trend seemed to continue into the third period.
The Flyers scored with nine minutes left in the third and a mere five seconds later scored again increasing their lead 5-2. But the Wolves dug in and their determination paid off with a score at 2:49 left. Sixteen seconds before the end of the game Ponoka was able to score their fourth and final goal.
The Lacoka Female Atom Rockets are scheduled to play the Maskwacis Atom Female team Nov. 23 at 1:30 p.m. and the midget girls will play at Winfield Nov. 24 at 3:15 p.m.
Novice team gaining experience
Despite a loss of 8-2 against the Lacombe Red Rockets on Nov. 16, Ponoka’s Wedin’s Warriors are enjoying the challenge, said coach Mark Richter. “They’re still having fun.”
Players are still learning the basic skills and rules of the game and despite a strong Lacombe goalie, they were able to claim two points.