The Fort St. John Huskies opened the 2008-09 regular season with a dramatic 6-5 win over the Dawson Creek Jr. Canucks on Friday night. New arrival Dustin Heitman scored the first goal of the season, and the only goal of the first period. He knocked in a Paydon Wongstedt rebound, for a powerplay goal – his first as a Husky. Dawson Creek’s Reid Smith scored early in the second, but then the Huskies poured it on, scoring 3 unanswered goals to take a 4-1 lead into the dressing room after 40 minutes. The lead would not last. Dawson Creek came out hard in the third, taking advantage of some sloppy play in the Fort St. John zone, to score 4 goals and take a 5-4 lead. Coach Bob Kalb on the third period collapse. [asset|aid=330|format=mp3player|formatter=asset_bonus|title=ca95e6047c4e070de20b46eee0f077b9-bob-1_1_Pub.mp3] But, the Huskies would fight back. With 3 1/2 minutes remaining, and Fort St. John on a powerplay, Paydon Wongstedt powered from the right corner towards the front of the net. His attempt was blocked by goalie Cody Garnett, but the rebound bounced to newcomer Jason Arnouse, who banged it home to tie the game 5-5. Arnouse only arrived in Fort St. John on Thursday, and describes why and how he ended up in Fort St. John. [asset|aid=331|format=mp3player|formatter=asset_bonus|title=ca95e6047c4e070de20b46eee0f077b9-Jason-1_1_Pub.mp3] As the third period ended, a small scuffle broke out in the neutral zone, and Dawson Creek’s Reid Smith was singled out. His roughing penalty gave the Huskies a 4 on 3 advantage to open the five minute overtime. The penalty would prove costly. With 50 seconds gone in overtime, another Paydon Wongstedt shot was blocked, with a tantalizing rebound lying in the crease for what seemed like several seconds, before Cody Kalb muscled it in to win the game for FSJ. Cody reflects on the winning goal [asset|aid=332|format=mp3player|formatter=asset_bonus|title=ca95e6047c4e070de20b46eee0f077b9-cody-1_1_Pub.mp3] Bob and Cody Kalb reflect on Jason Arnouse [asset|aid=333|format=mp3player|formatter=asset_bonus|title=ca95e6047c4e070de20b46eee0f077b9-bob-2_1_Pub.mp3] [asset|aid=334|format=mp3player|formatter=asset_bonus|title=ca95e6047c4e070de20b46eee0f077b9-cody-2_1_Pub.mp3] The Huskies ended up going 3/9 on the powerplay, with Dawson Creek going 1/5. Husky goals were scored by Dustin Heitman, Tyson Pederson, Luke McInerney (a beautiful move, only 11 seconds after Pederson’s), Jonathan Spence, Jason Arnouse, and Cody Kalb. Paydon Wongstedt had 3 assists, while Steven Fast had 2 helpers. Coach Kalb says he was happy with the play of Andrew Van der Merwe in goal, but he plans to give newcomer Zachary Blain the start on Saturday. Saturday’s game starts at 8 pm at the NPA, against the Grande Prairie Wheelers.
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