The 2023 portion of the NCHL schedule is behind us after four games were played last weekend. As the teams now take a two week break for Christmas and New Years, we find the races for top spots in both divisions extremely tight.
Red Deer Rustlers finished 2023 as the league's hottest team and sitting on top of the South Division thanks to their 6-3 home ice win over Lacombe Generals. This game was close for two periods until the Rustlers scored 4 third period goals. Chris Rauckman had a big night scoring 3-2-5 to pace the Rustlers to their win. Also scoring for Red Deer were Tyler Berkholtz (1-1-2) and Ryan Vandervlis (2-0-2), while Gabe Bast chipped in with 0-3-3. Jamie Johnson continued his torrid scoring pace with (1-2-3), while Thomas Beretta (1-1-2) and Cam Maclise also scored for the Generals who lost to the Rustlers for the second time this season. Brodan Salmond secured his 6th win of the season.
Also on Saturday, the Wetaskiwin Longhorns had their hands full with the Morinville Kings for a couple of periods before scoring 5 times in the third period to put away the pesky Kings 12-5. Wetaskiwin had period leads of 4-2 and 7-4 before Morinville scored halfway through the third period to get to 7-5, but the Longhorns took over from there scoring five times to secure the win. Ryley Bennefield seems to have found his game as he put up his second consecutive 5 point (3-2-5) night to lead the Longhorns to their win. Others to hit the scoresheet were Zach Ayotte (1-2-3), Zane Lindberg (2-0-2), Eric Sonnenberg (1-1-2), Kyle Garagan (1-0-1), Jake Mytikiuk (1-2-3), RJ Reed (1-3-4), Scott Effect (1-1-2) and Dakota Conroy (1-2-3). Replying for the Kings were Troy Burant (1-1-2), Wayne Gatza Jr (1-0-1), Austin Grundner (1-0-1) and Joel Grant (2-0-2). Recently signed goaltender Brett Epp won his first NCHL game in his first start for Wetaskiwin while Garrett Storms took the loss for the Kings. With the win, Wetaskiwin pulls into a second place tie in the South Division with Lacombe.
The Devon Barons hooked up with the hometown Bonnyville Pontiacs for a couple of games over the weekend hoping to extend their lead in the North Division, however, the Pontiacs had other thoughts. On Saturday, Bonnyville got a late goal from defenseman Brinson Pasichnuk with 19 second left in the game to pull out a 5-4 Pontiac's victory. This game, as the score might indicate was close, with Bonnyville holding period leads of 2-1 and 3-2. Others to score for Bonnyville were Jamal Eakett (1-1-2), Captain Lucas Isley (1-2-3), and Coltan Buchta (2-1-3). Drew Fleury picked up his 4th win of the season. Replying for Devon were Cody Issler, Trevor Posch (1-1-2), Chris Van Os Shaw (1-2-3) and Evan Cox. Goaltender Mike Gudmanson took the loss, his 2nd.
Sunday's-match wasn't as close as Bonnyville built up a 6-1 second period lead before eventually pulling out an 8-4 win. Dyson Roy lead all scorers with a hat trick, while Zach Nedelic (1-1-2), Brinson Pasichnuk (1-1-2), Mark Ouelette (1-1-2), Devon McCormack and Lucas Isley completed the scoring. Ryan Weitzel picked up his second win of the season for the Pontiacs. Scoring for Devon were Chris Van Os Shaw (1-1-2), Adam Kelly, Matt Stefanishion, and Matt Maetche, while Baron's goaltender Wayne Henke saw his record slip to 1-1.
With Bonnyville's two wins, they pull into a second place tie with Westlock, one point behind Division leaders Devon Barons.
Play will resume on January 6th.
The Executive of the NCHL wishes everyone a safe, joyous holiday season.
Merry Christmas!
WESTLOCK
CAMROSE
STONY PLAIN
DEVON
LACOMBE
WETASKIWIN
INNISFAIL
TOFIELD
MORINVILLE
