Jets take three straight in weekend tournament

By Stephen Dafoe

Fort Saskatchewan – It was a three-for-three affair for the Morinville Jets over the weekend. The Junior B team took part in the Fort Saskatchewan Pyramid Hawks Pre-Season Tournament Sept. 9 – 11 and won all three of their contests. The Jets defeated the Hawks 9-3 Friday, followed it with a 6-3 victory over the Strathcona Bruins Saturday, and capped it with a closely fought 3-2 victory over the St. Albert Merchants Sunday afternoon.

“I’m pretty pleased with it,” said Jets’ Head Coach Scott Rodda after Sunday’s game, noting the final game against the Merchants was a closer outcome than he’d hoped for, and a performance that was not as strong as the club or coaching staff wanted. “Overall the weekend was good. It was good to see some rookies perform. Overall I’m quite pleased, actually.”

Rodda said heading into the Capital Junior Hockey League season, which starts Sunday, he has his eyes focused on placing in the top two in the division this season. “I want to get the bye in the first round of the playoffs,” he said. “We haven’t had that yet, so that’s my goal, to finish in the top two. It’s a pretty lofty goal, but I think we have the personnel this year.”

The weekend’s tournament sweep was a stark contrast from last Wednesday’s 6-0 defeat at the hands of the Wetaskiwin Icemen. The Jets take to the ice Wednesday night to take on a club from Whitecourt in exhibition play.
The Jets home opener is Sept. 18 at 6:45 p.m. at the Ray McDonald Sports Centre. They will take on the Leduc Riggers.

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