Discipline, third period the difference as Huskies drop game five

FAIRVIEW, A.B. – The Fort St. John Huskies had a strong start in Fairview Tuesday night but were unable to see it through. Staying out of the penalty box was a big issue for the team as was a disastrous third period on the way to an 6-2 loss.

The team had briefly established a 2-1 lead in the first but couldn’t make it last as the Flyers drew even with the man advantage.

Fortunate to be down one after 40 following a penalty filled middle frame the wheels fell off in the third as Fairview scored three times in the initial four minutes.

Assistant coach Todd Alexander said after allowing three power play goals and being short handed for most of the second, it was a challenge to establish any sort of a rhythm in the game.

“We took way too many penalties tonight. In the second period we were almost shorthanded for 15 minutes. It’s hard to get any momentum especially against a hockey team like this when you’re constantly on the PK,” he said.

Despite the issues at the end of the contest Alexander kept things in perspective noting that the series comes back to Fort St. John with the chance to force a seventh game.

“The game got away from us in the third period but overall the effort was there. I thought we finished the game hard. There’s only one score we’re worried about and that score is 3-2. We’re still alive, we’ve got another home game. We know we’ve got to get it done to give us life for one more game,” he said.

Game six between the clubs goes on Thursday at the North Peace Arena at 8 p.m. The Huskies trail the best of seven 3-2.