Huskies win streak snapped after Grande Prairie Wheat Kings loss

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The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: LaGrecavsDC.jpg — Jordan LaGreca (right) and the Fort St. John Huskies put their win streak to 11 with a victory over Dawson Creek on November 7th. (Street Legal Photography/Facebook)

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Like the age old saying goes, all good things – in this case, win streaks – must come to an end.

In the case of the Fort St. John Huskies, it means the end of their 11-game streak in the Strike Group North West Junior Hockey League (NWJHL).

Before a loss to the County of Grande Prairie Wheat Kings on Saturday, November 8th, the team hadn’t lost since a pair of 5-4 contests to the La Crete Lumber Barons in early October.

Late third-period goals by forwards Connor Beson and Trevan Gabert propelled the Wheat Kings to a 2-0 shutout victory, in a game Fort St. John outshot their opponents 49-20.

Huskies head coach Todd Alexander was complimentary of the Wheat Kings, saying they “played with emotions” to nip the game and end the Huskies’ win streak, sparked by a first-period fight between the Wheat Kings player Marshall Lefley and Huskies captain Grayden Alexander.

“They brought an emotional game and we didn’t have any response to it,” said Todd. “Grande Prairie fed off of it properly, and we did not.

“We continued to take poor penalties all the way into the third period. When you play that way without responding to the proper energy in the building, it’s what you get.”

Todd’s team gave up nine power-play opportunities on Saturday evening,

Wheat Kings goaltender Colin McCreight recorded his second shutout of the NWJHL season, earning the away team’s star of the game.

The night before, on Friday, November 7th, the Huskies extended the win streak to 11 games with a 7-2 thrashing of the Kodiaks in Dawson Creek, with a two-goal, one-assist performance by forward Xavier Burgher.

Burgher’s 16 goals places him in the league’s top three in goals.

Other goal scorers included Ryan Bookham, Carver Lequiere, Grayden, Parker Gamble and Jordan LaGreca.

“[It was] definitely [a] better game for us,” said Todd. “A little bit more time and space, and I think that we capitalized on the opportunities that we had much better.”

Todd and the Huskies will try to begin another win streak against the Fairview Flyers on Friday, November 14th at the North Peace Arena.

Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. Details about the Huskies are available on the team’s Facebook and Instagram pages or website.