The Lacoka Servus Credit Union Junior Locos finished the regular with a big win on the road last Tuesday, June 19, against the Olds Stingers. After a cautious start to the game, midget call up Royce Buffalo got his first goal at the 12:22 mark of the first period, which opened the flood gates. Tanner Green and Carter Waldbauer scored two more in the next minute with Braeden Grant and Mack Hawthorne also picking up goals in the first before Olds got on the board to make it 5 – 1 after one.
It was more of the same in the second period with Grant and Waldbauer each scoring again with Skyler Sargeant adding two. Olds again managed only one goal in the middle frame for a 9 – 2 lead for the Lacoka squad after two periods.
The Lacoka team kept the pressure on in the third, totally dominating the Olds team, while scoring eight more goals. Matt Granson closed the door in net for the win in a 17-2 route. Sargeant picked up two more in the third along with two assists to cap off a six-point night. Also scoring in the third period was Grant with two for a four goal game. Hathorne and Buffalo also scored to give them each two on the night while another midget call up, Darian Buffalo scored in his first game as a junior trying to keep pace with his younger brother. Adding to their point totals for the season with assists on the night were Trevor Anderson (1), Wass (3), Andreeff (1), Royce Buffalo (1), Darian Buffalo (2), Reid St. Denis (2), Doug Wing (1), Dakota Haarstad (1) and Catlen Huseby (1).
After starting the season with only one win in their first five games this win against Olds gave the Locos a record of 9 wins and 5 losses in the 14 game regular season and assured them a spot in the Provincial playoff weekend in High River on July 7 to 8 along with the host High River Heat, who finished first overall with a 12 – 2 record, Brooks Drillers and Crowsnest Pass Ravens. The team has continued to improve as the season progressed and looks forward to competing for the Provincial championship in only their second season on the junior circuit. The Locos would like to thank everyone who has supported their efforts throughout the season and look forward to finishing strong in High River.
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