Huskies host Kodiaks aiming to break skid

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Fort St. John Huskies will try to end a two-game losing skid when they face the Dawson Creek Kodiaks in STRIKE GROUP North West Junior Hockey League (NWJHL) action on Wednesday.

The Pups lost their last contest to the Grande Prairie Wheat Kings in overtime 4-3 on November 16th after being downed by the Beaverlodge Blades 3-1 on Thursday, November 14th.

According to head coach Todd Alexander, injuries piled up for Fort St. John, causing seven starters out of the lineup.

A pair of unlucky bounces led to the Grande Prairie tying things up, sending it to the extra frame.

“We had a 3-1 lead late in the game. They pulled their goalie twice,” said Alexander. “One goal, we went to clear it, and it hit the referee and deflected onto a stick. They got a good look and ended up burying it.”

“The [tying goal] was just a poor giveaway by one of our guys [which they] later capitalized on.”

Still in first in the NWJHL’s East/West Division, a matchup with the third-place Kodiaks may be just what the Pups need to reverse their fortunes.

Fort St. John has outscored Dawson Creek by a 15-5 margin in three games this season, including a 3-0 win in their last encounter on November 10th.

Alexander says that due to the league structure, each team makes the playoffs, so the contest isn’t a must-win, but it certainly would help his squad develop into a championship contender.

“We’re trying to find our game and find the detail in our game,” said Alexander. “[We] need to find out who we are and how we have success when we are winning hockey games.”

“That’s just what we got to get back to. [We need to] clean it up and have a full 60-minute game.”

Puck drop for the lone game on the NWJHL schedule is set for 8:00 p.m. at the North Peace Arena.

Further details on the Huskies are available on the FSJ Huskies Facebook page.