Fort St. John Huskies extend winning streak to three in NWJHL season

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Fort St. John Huskies win streak to start the North West Junior Hockey League (NWJHL) season is now at three games.

On September 28th in Beaverlodge, Alberta, the Huskies netted a pair of first-period goals, which helped them edge the Blades by a score of 4 to 2.

The win puts them in the driver’s seat in the NWJHL East/West Division, a point ahead of the North Peace Navigators.

According to head coach Todd Alexander, the win was a “total team effort” where the Huskies had to play shorthanded for the bulk of the final frame.

He says the team’s 49 total shots, 10 of which came during the third period, were due to some breaks leading to a five-on-three situation.

“They had about six minutes straight of power play time roughly,” said Alexander. “They were able to drum up some shots.”

“Once we got through that penalty kill, they didn’t have much to offer after that. The game plan was good. [The team] followed it to a tee. Everybody played a real good role.”

Adam Morrow opened the scoring for Beaverlodge at the six-and-a-half-minute mark of the opening frame. Still, the Pups responded four minutes later, with goals by Xavier Burger and Sam Loewen just 15 seconds apart.

Loewen’s first goal of the season was assisted by Ryan Bookham and Taryn Hoskyn, who now is among the league leaders with six points.

“I don’t think that he was able to contribute like we thought he would be able to last year,” said Alexander of Hoskyn, whose hot start landed him the NWJHL’s third star of the week. 

“It’s nice to see him kind of start the season off being the type of player we think he can be.”

“He seems to be playing nicely with [linemates Tanner McCracken and Sam Loewen], and they seem to be developing a little chemistry.”

Evan Baker had 26 saves in the win, which was described by Alexander as a “real gritty effort in a tough barn.”

This week’s games feature another road game in Sexsmith versus the Vipers before the Huskies head home for the first time on Saturday, October 5th, as they welcome the Dawson Creek Kodiaks to the North Peace Arena.

“[Friday Night] will be another tough game,” said Alexander. “They are a physical club, and [Vipers head coach] Evan Boire has been in the league quite a while.  He’s a good coach.”

Both games this weekend begin at 8:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.  Visit the NWJHL’s league website for further information.