By Stephen Dafoe
Morinville – The irony of Saturday night’s Military Appreciation event was the discipline necessary in the Canadian soldier seemed nowhere to be found on the ice among the Morinville Jets who were wearing camouflage jerseys designed to pay tribute to the troops.
The club’s only goal in the 2-1 defeat came early in the opening frame from Brayden Arcand off an assist from Troy Roberts. The St. Albert Merchants responded a minute-and-a-half into the middle frame. The two clubs remained deadlocked at a goal apiece until 2:38 remained in the third period. Despite pulling backstop Brad Miller in the final minute, the Jets were unable to drive the contest into overtime, guaranteeing themselves at least a point for their efforts.
The Jets took 15 penalties Saturday night and greatly added to their season’s tally of sin bin time in the process. While hardly leading the league in penalty minutes this season, Saturday night’s tally is one the club must not repeat if it is to build to the season Coach Scott Rodda and company want for the Jets.
This is particularly true with respect to the St. Albert Merchants who have managed to win all four of their contests this season. It is a message that would have been well considered heading into Saturday night’s game, particularly since the Jets narrowly defeated the Merchants during a preseason tournament in Fort Saskatchewan.
Saturday night’s loss followed on the heels of an 8-2 victory over the Stony Plain Flyers Friday night. The weekend’s win and loss brings the Jets’ record to 3-1-1 on the season. With seven points, the club is sitting in second slot in the Capital Junior Hockey League’s West Division and third place overall.
As of Oct. 2, Morinville Jet Dalen Paul was tied with Henrik Tervonen of the Beverly Warriors for top scorer with five goals apiece. Jet Rookie Tyler Kampjes is tied for second spot on assists.
The Jets play two games this week: Friday night against the Beaumont Chiefs (2-2-0) in Beaumont and Sunday night at home against the 2-3-0 Fort Saskatchewan Hawks. Game time for Sunday night’s home game is 6:45 p.m.
