Wayne Gatza pockets the Jets’ first goal during the second period Sunday night. Gatza went on to score his and the Jets’ second with 32 seconds left in the period. – Stephen Dafoe Photo
By Stephen Dafoe
Morinville – The Jets fell to the Beverly Warriors Sunday night in a 3-2 decision. After defeating the Spruce Grove Regals, the top-ranked team in the league, a week earlier, the Jets were just not able to recreate the magic on home ice a week later.
The Jets spent much of the first period Sunday night short handed, a situation that allowed them but nine scoring chances to the Warriors 20. Despite being down a man or two for much of the first 20 minutes, the Jets gave up only one goal during the period.
The Jets managed to bring the game to a 2-2 tie by the end of the second period. Wayne Gatza picked up the Jets’ first at 13:34 to tie the game 1-1, and although Beverly shifted the balance to 2-1, Gatza brought the game back to a tie with 32 seconds left in the frame.
Penalties and glove droppers plagued the second period, which was halted for nearly 20 minutes when Ethan Kuhar of the Warriors was sent him to hospital with what was believed to be a head injury.
The Jets carried a pair of penalties into the final period, a situation that allowed the Warriors to score their third 42 seconds after the puck drop.
The Jets were unable to push the contest to overtime, and the loss brings the Jets to a 12-9-0 record this season.
The club takes on the Edmonton Mustangs at home Friday night, then travel to Wetaskiwin for a Sunday afternoon game against the Icemen. Game time for the Dec. 14 home game is 8:30 p.m. at the Ray McDonald Sports Centre.
