Lesleigh Campbell | Special to the Fitzhugh
The U15 Jasper Bearcats travelled to Edson this past weekend to play their first regular season game against the Sabres.
In the first period, the two teams looked evenly matched. They battled back and forth, both sides hitting brick walls with their shots, though Edson was out-shooting Jasper by double. Then back to the drawing board and ready for a rest, the teams went into the first intermission scoreless.
The second period was looking much the same, though the intensity was turned up a notch while spectators were reminded hit after hit that this is contact hockey. Then about halfway through the period, the Sabres finally got one past Jasper's goaltender. The Bearcats were eager to get that goal back, and about four minutes later they did just that when Lincoln Radloff (on his birthday no less) passed the puck up to Drew Kovacs who took it all the way to the back of the net. The shots were 40-12 for Edson at this point, so Jasper was definitely getting worked. Brady "Soupy" Campbell had made some huge saves, helping to keep the Bearcats alive, but the Sabres got one more past him before the end of the period. The score was 2-1 for Edson, after 40 minutes.
The third period began with the idea that Jasper still had lots of time to even this thing out again. But the Sabres sunk their teeth in, and the Bearcat's short bench was starting to look tired. Unable to fight back anymore, Edson scored four more unanswered goals, and this game ended in a 6-1 loss for Jasper.
Better luck next time, as the Jasper Bearcats travel to Hinton Friday evening for a late night game. And then host the Whitecourt Wolverines on Sunday at 1:15 p.m. Be sure to come on down and cheer them on!
