An eight-game winning streak by the St. Albert Sabres ended Wednesday against the number-one team in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League.
The 3-1 loss to the SSAC Southgate Lions (25-3-3) at Akinsdale Arena also wrapped up the league schedule for the Sabres (23-7-3) before the playoffs get under way Tuesday.
Both teams failed to capitalize on their chances in the first period. In the second the Lions scored late in the frame. The Sabres pulled even in the third on Matteo Gennaro’s ninth goal of the season. Paul Lovsin and Steven Canduro picked up assists. The game winner by the Lions was scored with 3:22 to play. The insurance marker was deposited with five seconds remaining. Shots were 37-15 for the Lions. In net for the Sabres was Patrick Gora (12-4-2, 2.15 GAA).
Head coach Umberto Fiorillo said the Sabres played overall a better than average game, except for some key parts.
“We had a good start and finish but a bad middle. When you play against good teams you can’t take 20 minutes off,” said the video coach for U16 Alberta at the Canada Winter Games in Halifax, N.S.
Those key elements of the game can make or break a team’s success in the playoffs. That’s why Fiorillo has been lecturing his squad on the topic ever since the season began in September.
“We played well for the most part but we had some shifts off,” he said. “We were also a little bit undisciplined in the third period and it hurt us.”
The loss was only the second in 11 games in the new year and the first defeat since a disappointing 2-3 showing at the John Reid Memorial Tournament.
“We have a lot of character in our room and we handled the situation well. We showed a lot of pride and as a result we’ve had a good run,” said Fiorillo.
As for the best-of-three opening playoff round, Fiorillo believes the Sabres can beat anybody if they just stick to the basics.
“If we bring our A-game, we can put ourselves in a position to be successful. We need to compete every shift and bring a full team effort. If we can do those things that’s the only things we can control.”
ICE CHIPS: Brett Smith was the top-scoring Sabre with 43 points in 33 games, followed by Lovsin with 39 points in 33 games. Andrew Kary was third in points with 33 and led the team in goals with 21 in 33 games.
Defenceman Michael Bruni served a team-high 80 penalty minutes.
Gora and Patrick Dea (11-3-1, 2.50 GAA) posted three shutouts apiece.
