It was only 2:43 into the first when Jaedon Descheneau of U16 Team Alberta decided he wanted to set the pace of the game notching the first tally for the team. After a dominating sixty minutes of play, a crowd of over 400 saw the team notch another 8 on the scoreboard ending the game with a 9-2 final and victory over the Red Deer AAA Optimist Rebels.
The first period was good end to end steady action with both teams earning their share of puck possession. Half way through the first a beautiful feed up the middle from Luke Philp to Torrin White allowed him to split the defensemen to go one on one with the Rebels tender where he netted Team Alberta’s third goal of the night.
Entering the second period up 3-1 over the Rebels, Team Alberta was prepared for their opponents to come out fighting. The period saw each team serve a handful of penalties early on, but that didn’t slow down Team Alberta. Both their power play and penalty kill were put to the test with a strong outcome. Their penalty kill was concrete with a solid box, blocked shots and short handed goal.
Unfortunately the Rebels netted their second goal on a power play late in the second period. The Rebels were relentless, with on the puck pressure forcing a turn over behind the net catching tender Brett Zarowny off guard and allowing a wide open net for the Rebels.
Team Alberta looking a little tired at the end of the second struggled to take advantage of another Rebels penalty but held on to a 5-2 lead.
After a well needed intermission Team Alberta came out in the third flying and on a mission. Rebels were able to keep Team Alberta at bay until half way through the period when things began to unravel. Team Alberta continued to press hard and notched another four tallies up on the board.
Netminder Eric Comrie started the game playing a solid thirty minutes and allowing only one goal. Brett Zarowny played the second half, solid in net as well and allowing only one goal.
Two Team Alberta players finished with 4 point nights, Morgan Klimchuk ended with 4 goals, while Jaedon Descheneau had 1 goal and 3 assists. Another 3 players, Jesse Lees, Luke Philp and Torrin White finished with 3 points a piece.
