Powell River Regals split a pair of games in Wyoming on January 12 and 13. It was the first time the local senior AA club squared off against Jackson Hole Moose, whose roster features a mix of players from Minnesota, Wyoming, Utah, California and Idaho.
Jackson Hole is a member of the Black Diamond Hockey League, a semi-professional circuit consisting of teams in the western United States.
Both teams played a fairly conservative feeling out period in the first game, according to Regals’ coach Tod English. Jackson Hole opened the scoring nine minutes after the opening faceoff, but Powell River responded twice to take the lead before intermission.
“Riley Billy scored for us at the 19-minute mark, getting the puck top shelf with a short-side rocket for his fifth goal in three games,” said English. “Twelve seconds later Trevor Burnett buried one from the high slot, giving us a 2-1 lead.”
Both teams scored twice in the second period. Billy notched his second of the night, followed by Travis Granbois, who put the Regals up 4-2 briefly before the Moose cut the deficit in half entering the third period.
A see-saw battle ensued in the final frame with the Moose tying the score on two occasions, before and after Jack Long and Ethan Schmunk combined to set up Chad Niddery’s power play goal. A three-on-three overtime period was needed to determine a winner.
“We didn’t to convert on a power play in extra time, but 16 seconds after the penalty ended, Granbois sent a pass from Niddery into the back of the net for the game winner,” said English, adding that goaltender Ryan Fairgray had a spectacular game with a 40-save performance.
Cory Burnett recorded two assists, as did Long. Trevor Burnett and Gabe Shipley helped set up one goal each.
English said the altitude and long travel began to affect the Regals in game two.
“We came out slow and allowed the Moose to get into great scoring positions, and they definitely had some lucky goalmouth bounces notching the first three goals in the first period,” explained English.
Granbois, from Long and Schmunk, narrowed the gap to 3-1 heading into the second period, then Bekkam Willis blasted an unassisted snapshot past the Moose netminder, narrowing the lead to 3-2.
“On the second power play of the game, they gained back their their two-goal lead,” said English. “Mikey Markland scored for us to make it 4-3 going into third, assisted by Schmunk and Granbois.”
The home team added a pair of goals in the final 20 minutes, one at even strength and one of a power play, to win 6-3.
“Laszlo Tamasik was in net and faced 44 shots,” said English. “As usual he gave us an opportunity to win."
Regals continue a series of away games in Innisfail, Alberta, on January 26 and 27. The host Eagles are the defending senior AAA champion in that province.
“We will keep working on the process with special teams and being in situations like in Jackson Hole, which will be valuable for Coy Cup tournament play."
Regals will host Coy Cup 2024, competed for by senior AA teams in BC, with three regional winners join the home team at the tournament in March. Tickets will be on sale as of February 5, with details to come.
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