Fort St. John Flyers optimistic for home game after strong showing in Fox Creek

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Fort St. John Senior Flyers are approaching their game this weekend with renewed optimism.

Throughout their first two games on the North Peace Hockey League (NPHL) schedule, the Flyers were outscored by a total of 17-1 in losses to the Dawson Creek Canucks and the Fahler Pirates.

However, the team experienced a boost following a 9-5 loss in Fox Creek, Alberta, against the Knights on November 2nd.

Dressing just a dozen players and some playing out of position, the team rallied from a 5-0 deficit and made the loss incredibly competitive, says coach Eric Nystoruk.

Nystoruk stepped in after Craig Faulkner stepped away from the team for personal reasons.

“The guys definitely stepped up. [They] battled hard,” said Nystrouk. “That’s pretty much what we’ve been preaching the last two weeks.”

“[We’ve told the players] Let’s put the past in the past. We’re moving past some of the off-ice turmoil. Now we’re looking at trying to make our team a team and [get] players that are committed.”

He expects a full roster for Saturday evening’s game against the Manning Comets, winners of their two NPHL games this year.

Nystrouk says leaders such as Cale Bell and goaltending must be sharp for the team to win its first game of the year.

He praised the play of netminders Eddie Stotz, Landon Hatton, and Ty Gullickson, who have faced a combined 189 shots in three games.

“Our goaltending has kept us alive in every game,” said Nystrouk. “No matter what the final score was, it [doesn’t] always doesn’t say what the game was like.”

The Fort St. John Senior Flyers will battle the Manning Comets on Saturday, November 9th, at North Peace Arena.  Puck drop is scheduled for 8:30 p.m.

Visit the Flyers Facebook page or the NPHL website for further details.