Morinville Jets lose in overtime

Troy Roberts opened scoring for the Jets Sunday night. Although the club built to a 4-1 lead heading into the third, the Jets lost 5-4 in overtime, giving them their first defeat this season.

By Stephen Dafoe

Morinville – A false sense of security and some late period penalties Sunday night cost the Jets the opportunity to take their third consecutive win. The Jets were defeated 5-4 in overtime by the Spruce Grove Regals, a club who failed to be intimidated heading into the third period trailing 4-1.

The Regals managed to bring their deficit to within one of a tie within the first five minutes of the final frame, and capitalized on a two-man advantage to bring the game to a 4-4 tie with 1:40 left in the game. Although the goal put another Jet on the ice, a four-minute crosschecking penalty carried over into overtime, allowing the Regals a 4-on-3 advantage for more than two minutes. That advantage was fully utilized when Chad Malmas scored the game-winning goal with 3:08 left in overtime.

Although the Jets can easily be criticized for frittering away a three-goal lead during the third, the club can take comfort in capitalizing on the power play better than the past couple iterations of the team have managed to do. All four of Morinville’s goals Sunday night were scored on the power play, and three of those were pocketed by rookie players.

Tyler Kampjes moved to the head of the pack Sunday night with a goal and two assists for his efforts. Fellow rookies Troy Roberts and Brady McCorriston also managed to ripple Spruce Grove’s mesh once apiece, and Cameron Melville picked up an assist. The only Jet vet to get some points Sunday night was Dalen Paul, who picked up one goal and one assist.

Sunday night’s overtime loss gives the Jets a 2-0-1 record three games into the season, and while the loss may serve as a lesson best heeded, the club is off to a decent start with five out of a possible six points and tied for first place with the Beverly Warriors who also have two wins and an overtime loss to their credit.

The Jets play two games this week. The club takes to the road Friday night to take on the Stony Plain Flyers at 8:30 and returns home Saturday night to take on the St. Albert Merchants at 8:30 p.m.

Ed. Note: Eskimo Dennis calls this week’s games as follows: 2-0 Jets over Flyers Sept. 30. 3-0 Jets over Merchants Oct. 1.

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