The St. Paul Canadiens (15-10-1-1) grabbed possession of fourth place in the NEAJBHL standings with shutout wins over the Lloydminster Bandits and the Vermillion Tigers, after falling to the Cold Lake Ice in their first game of a three-game weekend.
Goalie Michael Davis posted back-to-back shutouts; his first two of the season, in a 4-0 win over the Bandits on Saturday night, and a 2-0 win over the Tigers Sunday.
The first game of the weekend saw the Ice edge out the Canadiens 3-2 on Friday night when Cold Lake’s Deni Kantel potted the game winner in the third period. Dyson Roy and Zach Bendall scored for the Canadiens.
The Canadiens responded well the following night, with an all around strong performance on home ice, despite their lack of success on the power play.
An undisciplined Bandits club took eight penalties in the contest, but only allowed one goal on special teams after Bailey Lonsberry blasted the puck home.
The Canadiens’ Jared Malo scored with 36 seconds remaining in the first period for the eventual game winner, while Roy picked up a goal and assist and Bendall added an empty netter. Davis stopped all 29 shots he faced in the win.
“I feel like we were more ready to play. We were relentless in the fore-check and capitalized on our chances. And Mikey (Davis) stood on his head,” Canadiens captain Dyson Roy said, after the weekend wrapped up.
The final game of the weekend saw St. Paul travel to Vermillion and walk out with another win.
The Canadiens’ power play unit converted twice on five chances and that’s all they needed to secure the victory with Davis putting up another strong effort turning aside 27 shots. Braydon Burak and Sean Greene each tallied a goal.
“Mikey was lights out for us,” said Roy.
The third period saw some rough stuff as the Canadiens received four 10-minute misconducts. Burak received two misconducts and a fighting major, while Alex Astasiewicz and Lonsberry received one a piece. Astasiewicz also had a fighting major and an interference penalty.
“Emotions (ran) high but we found a way to get a much needed road win,” Roy added.
Burak will sit for Friday’s game against the third place Frog Lake T-Birds with a one-game suspension. Head Coach Joe Young said he’s okay with players defending themselves.
“Burak had to stick up for himself . . . I have no problem with what he did.”
Looking ahead to this weekend, Young added, “We’re losing a big part of the team and at centre. It’s going to hurt a little bit but that’s why we have 21 guys. Someone is going to have to step up and take his place.”
Young added that Astasicewicz will not face suspension and will be playing this weekend. The Canadiens battle the Onion Lake Border Chiefs on Saturday after their tilt with the T-Birds.
