The St. Albert Merchants closed out the month of November with Tuesday’s 7-4 loss to the rival Morinville Jets at Akinsdale Arena.
Down 1-0 after the first period, the Jets exploded for five straight goals in the second frame and led 5-2 after 40 minutes.
Dalen Paul of the Jets recorded three goals and one assist. Russell Tanner added one goal and three assists. In net was Cole Foster.
Kyle Beddows potted a pair for the Merchants. Alex Hawirko and Brayden Switner also scored. Justin Pawlenchuk was between the pipes.
Both teams tallied twice on the power play. The Merchants were penalized 11 times for 52 minutes and the Jets had 19 penalties for 68 minutes.
The loss was the second in eight games for the Merchants (11-10) last month while the Jets (10-9) were 3-2-0-2.
The next game for the Merchants is 8 p.m. Sunday against the Edmonton Mustangs (9-9-0-3) at Akinsdale. Wednesday they visit the North Edmonton Red Wings (13-7-0-2) at 8 p.m. at Clareview Arena.
The midget AA St. Albert Blues captured the tournament title at the 12-team Saskatoon Knights Pepsi Challenge last weekend.
In the final the Blues posted a 4-3 win over the defending provincial champion Sylvan Lake Lakers.
In the round robin draw against Saskatoon teams the Blues defeated the Steel and Spartans and lost a shootout decision to the Sabercats.
Forward Mitch McNamara and defenceman Lukas Millions were named to the tournament all-star team. McNamara was also honoured as the tournament’s MVP.
In the pre-season the Blues won the SSAC John Ferguson tournament with a 4-0-1 record.
The team’s overall record is 19-0-2.
In the new Northern Alberta Midget Hockey League the Blues (12-2) are tied for top spot in the central red division, trailing only the St. Albert Crusaders and Grande Prairie Storm for first place overall with games in hand. The Blues also have the best winning percentage in the circuit.
A balanced scoring attack features 10 players averaging a point per game or better. McNarama (11-15-26 in 14 games) and AJ Yariwon (13-10-23) rank among the league’s top 10 scorers.
The next home game is Friday against the Northeast Panthers at 8:15 p.m. at Troy Murray Arena.
The St. Albert Sabres battle the SSAC Southgate Lions in Sunday’s bantam AAA tilt at Millwoods Arena. Game time is 7:15 p.m.
The Sabres (10-4-3) trail the first-place Lions (11-3-3) by two points in the division pennant race.
Winners of seven in a row, including all six games in November, the Sabres are coming off a successful showing at the Dallas Saunders Abbotsford International Bantam AAA Tournament last weekend. In the round robin they defeated Seafair 6-3, the Prince George Cougars 10-1 and the Chilliwack Bruins 7-3. In playoff action they beat the Pursuit of Excellence Academy 4-2 in the quarter-finals, Calgary Bisons 6-3 in the semifinals and Kelowna Rockets 10-2 in the final.
Defenceman Zack Gonek was selected to the tournament all-star team.
The ninth straight win by the St. Albert Flyers was Wednesday’s 3-1 decision against the SSAC Bulldogs In the Alberta Minor Midget AAA Hockey League.
Gabriel Chabot, Taylor Fontaine and Brenden Cunningham scored and Landon Bow (8-0, 2.00 GAA) stopped 34 shots at Akinsdale Arena.
In the north conference the Flyers (13-1) rank second and Bulldogs (9-5-1) are fourth. In first place is the Sherwood Park Squires (13-1-3).
Next week the Flyers play the Maple Leafs (5-8-1) Tuesday at 8:45 p.m. at Castledowns Arena. Wednesday they host the KC Centennials at 7:45 p.m. at Akinsdale.
