Morinville – The troubled Morinville Jets (4-7-1) put an end to a five-game losing streak Friday night with a 10-5 victory over the 6-3-2 Spruce Grove Regals, the number two team in the CJHL’s west division. However, Sunday afternoon’s home-ice contest against the West division’s top-ranked Beverly Warriors resulted in a 6-4 loss for the Jets.
Despite picking up only two of a possible four points over the weekend the Jets clearly came to both games ready to play, something that can not be said of the club of late. The difference between the two weekend outings came down to discipline. The Jets took 16 minutes in penalties in Spruce Grove Friday night, compared to 42 minutes in penalties Sunday afternoon.
“Five on five we’re a good club; shorthanded we’re not so good,” said Head Coach Scott Rodda after Sunday’s game. “The bottom line is we have momentum and then we lose it because of penalties. It’s the same old broken record, but they’re going to have to learn it sooner or later. They can’t play shorthanded against these good clubs. They get in trouble.”
Rodda, who was away for Friday night’s victory said he has heard from the rest of the coaching staff that his team worked hard during the road game and that despite a couple lulls, had fought a well-disciplined battle.
“We’re a good club when we stay out of the box,” Rodda said.
Jets Vs. Regals
Friday night’s victory was built on a 3-1 lead for the Jets at the end of the first period. One of the Jets goals was scored on a power play advantage.
Second period game play saw the Jets picking up six goals, including two on the power play, within the first half of the period. Although the Regals answered back with a goal of their own at 9:15; the Jets walked into the third leading the Regals 9-2.
A rash of penalties in the final frame gave Spruce Grove two powerplay goals at 14:22 and 13:36. Another Regals goal was pocketed at 8:06 and answered by the Jets with 43 seconds left on the clock to give the Jets a 10-5 decision.
Jets Vs. Warriors
Sunday afternoon’s home-ice contest against the Beverly Warriors proved to be a different outcome for the Jets.
Despite getting off to a strong first period with a 1-0 lead over the Warriors, the Jets fell behind in the middle frame, trailing the Warriors 5-3 after 40 minutes. Two of the Warriors’ five goals were scored on the powerplay.
Although the Jets took minimal penalties in the third period, they allowed the Warriors to pocket a shorthanded goal at 8:51. Although the Jets answered back with a powerplay goal 30 seconds later, it was to be their last, leaving the club two short of driving the contest into overtime.
The Jets take to the road Oct. 29 to take on the 5-4-2 Fort Saskatchewan Hawks and return to the Ray McDonald Sports Centre Oct. 31 to take on the 4-6-0 St. Albert Merchants. Game time for the Halloween home-ice game is 2 p.m.
