The St. Paul Canadiens (18-11-1-1) had two different types of explosions over the weekend - physical and offensive. Both resulted in wins and a 3-0 weekend, extending their win streak to five games and moving them into third place in the NEAJBHL standings.
After beating the second place Killam Wheat Kings 4-2 in a tight defensive battle that saw the Wheat Kings register just nine shots on goal midway through the game and Zach Bendall recording a hat trick, the Vermilion Tigers came to town for Saturday’s matchup.
And that game got rough. Literally.
Ninety-eight of the games 114 penalty minutes were assessed in the second period, including five game misconducts split between the two teams. Nine members of the Canadiens took at least one penalty, while 10 players on the Tigers’ team did the same.
The peak of the physicality was a Bailey Lonsberry fight when he and Vermilion’s Evan Bardoel went toe-to-toe.
“You could feel the game trending in one direction and it wasn’t going to be a very friendly game,” said Canadiens’ Coach Joe Young, after the game.
“But these are the types of games we play very well, where the guys have to get involved physically. There’s lots of emotions out there and we finished it off the right way.”
Between all the hits and insults, a hockey game did take place, and the Canadiens won 3-1. The third period saw some rough stuff, but it calmed down as both teams’ focus shifted to trying to grab the two points.
Traveling Tigers fans were exchanging words with Canadiens’ fans and coach Young, who were shooting them right back. And players chose to take the body over the puck, only adding fuel to the fire.
Bendall tied things up in the second period and Dyson Roy scored the eventual game winner, before Braydon Burak potted the empty net goal with two minutes remaining. Jesse Reeds was the only player on the Tigers’ team that beat goalie Devin Allen, in the first period.
The following afternoon, the Canadiens put up nine goals en route to slaughter of the Vegreville Rangers during a road game.
Bendall, Brendan Wozniak and Alex Astasiewicz all had four-point afternoons; while Roy and Burak notched three points apiece in the 9-1 win.
Next up for the Canadiens is a rematch with the Tigers at home Friday, before traveling to Lloydminster Saturday to face the Bandits.
