By / Laurence Heinen
While the Calgary Flames have once again faltered out of the gates to start the season, their Midget AAA counterparts have done just the opposite.
After six games to start the Alberta Midget Hockey League season, the Flames have compiled a 5-0-1 record to jump out front early in the Chrysler Division standings.
“I’ve got a really hard-working team,” said first-year Flames coach Al Soucy. “They bust their humps all the time. That’s kind of our No 1 goal is to be the hardest-working team.”
Forwards Mike Forsyth (2g, 5a) and Zack Rassell (5g, 2a) shared the early team scoring lead, followed closely by Danny Gayle, Brendon MacDonald and Colton Meaden, all with five points.
After trailing 2-1 in Edmonton to the Canadian Athletic Club Greg Distributors on Oct. 12, the Flames fought back to win 3-2 on a clutch goal by Rassell at the nine minute mark of the
final frame.
“It was kind of a fluky goal,” Soucy said. “It came from the blueline. The goalie was kind of handcuffed and it went over his shoulder. He just let ’er rip and it went in.”
The defence has been led by the team’s lone returnees in Matt Brown and Jeffrey Noble.
“Our six D are top notch,” Soucy said, further crediting Brown for his role as captain. “He’s just got great leadership skills. The players respect him.”
In goal, 16-year-old netminder Alexander Caravaggio has jumped out to a 3-0 start, while his 15-year-old counterpart Cole Cheveldave has gone 2-0-1.
‘We took a chance with a 16-year-old and a 15-year-old,” Soucy said. “Right from the beginning they proved that they should be there. They earned their spots. I’m glad they’re proving us right so far.”
Soucy also commended his five assistant coaches for their efforts running intense practices and their help during games.
“I’m surrounded by a great and experienced coaching staff,” he said.
Meanwhile, in the Dodge Division the Sherwood Park J. Ennis Kings have compiled an early 4-1-0 record to jump out to a narrow first-place lead over the 2-1-2 St. Albert Sports Raiders.
“We have put a focus on winning early into the season as these points are very important and will benefit us in the stretch run of our regular season while positioning for a playoff spot as well one of our goals is to qualify for the Mac’s Tourney,” said Kings head coach Bryan Keller.
Kieran Purich has led the way offensively so far with five goals and two assists through five games, while Duncan Siemens, Dylan Busenius, Dustin Verdonk and Nathan Smith have all put up four points so far.
Keller also commended defenceman Tanner Erickson for his strong early-season play.
“We have kept it simple and have put a strong emphasis on our special teams which has carried us to this point for most part,” said Keller, noting he has one of the youngest teams in the league with 14 players aged 15 or 16. “We are very conscious of our defensive play which has been solid, while our offence is improving and for most part we will be a score-by-
committee team.”
In goal, Dawson Guhle has gone 3-1 with a 2.75 goals against average, while Adam Clark stopped 18 of 19 shots he faced to record a win in his lone start of the season. |
