by Stephen Dafoe
The Morinville Jets started their Saturday night home game with a tribute to a former player and the granting of a scholarship in his name.
Morinville Jet Nick McRae was killed Sept. 3, 2012 in an ATV accident south or Edson. McRae, remembered for his love of life and his ability to spread that love to those he came in contact with, was honoured with the retiring of his number 11 jersey.
Each year the club and McRae family and friends present a scholarship to a Morinville Jet in trades education. This year’s recipient was Brandon Dubuc.
After the presentation of the annual Nick McRae Scholarship, the Jets unveiled their new third jersey and took on the St. Albert Merchants.
The Jets fought hard but fell 7-3. That upset was built largely in the final minutes of the game.
The club came out strong in the opening frame with a 2-1 lead over the Merchants, both goals pocketed by Tyler Hagel. The Jets gave up one goal to the Merchants a man short.
Leading 2-1 to start the second, the Jets maintained a 3-2 lead at the end of the frame, each club picking up a powerplay goal.
But the Jets would remain scoreless in the final period, giving up five goals to the Merchants, three of those being powerplay goals.
Saturday night’s loss brings the Jets to 8-11-0 exactly halfway through the season. Penalties – and the club has racked up 585 minutes thus far – continue to be a problem for the club, who have given up 30 of their 83 goals with a player in the box.
The Jets play the Red Wings Wednesday night on the road at 8 p.m. and return home for a Friday night game against the Warriors. Game time is 8:30 p.m.
