The St. Paul Canadiens defeated the Lloydminster Bandits on Saturday night in Lloydminster to extend the team’s winning streak to five games. The Canadiens have yet to experience a loss this season.
The St. Paul team struggled in the first period and was unable to capitalize on a Bandits penalty in the first minute of the game. The Canadiens also took a couple of early penalties that prevented the boys from gaining any forward momentum or scoring chances.
But, their penalty kill was perfect, and left wing Brodin Ference was able to put the Canadiens on the board with just over one minute remaining in the first frame.
The second period was quick and clean, and neither team was penalized. Brayden Burak scored for St. Paul at just over three minutes into the period, and his goal was followed by a pair of goals later on.
Dyson Roy and Arron Gagne both scored one minute and 40 seconds apart from each other, finishing the period with St. Paul leading 4-0, which also ended up being the final score.
“I thought that the first period was a little bit sloppy,” said coach Joe Young, after the game. “We came out pretty slow and didn’t make very good passes. We just weren’t making the right kinds of plays. That was the biggest challenge last night. But once we got other that, things went a lot smoother.”
Goaltender Tyler Kwiatkowski played a stellar game, stopping all 32 shots the Bandits sent his way.
Young gave full credit to the players for their ability to play much better in the second and third periods.
“I didn’t say anything magical during the intermission or anything. They have to take it upon themselves to get themselves going, which they did. The boys just bore down and knew they weren’t happy with the first period. We have a veteran team with lots of leaders, and they came out for the second period ready to play . . . and we got much better. We started getting pucks deep to wear the (Bandits) defense down, and that opened up a lot more space for us out there.”
The Canadiens have not lost a game so far this season, and Young believes the team’s success will only breed more success.
“It’s a huge motivation to be in this winning streak. We couldn’t ask for a better way to start the season, and we want to keep it going. As long as we’re prepared to play every night, we’re going to win a lot of games this season.”
The Canadiens were also scheduled to play against the Onion Lake Border Chiefs this weekend, but that game was postponed due to Friday’s snowstorm.
“I would have preferred to play on Friday,” said Young. “It probably would have helped us get more in the swing of things for Saturday’s game. But you can’t help the weather, so it is what it is.”
The Canadiens will take on the Vermillion Tigers in St. Paul this Friday at 8 p.m. The postponed game from Friday has not yet been rescheduled.
