Penalties mar Huskies’ win over Navigators

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – On paper, the Fort St. John Huskies outscoring their opposition in regulation by a combined score of 15-4 over two home games would imply sheer dominance. 

However, in reality, it took a late third-period goal in their game on Sunday, November 16th to draw even with the North Peace Navigators in a game marred by penalties from both teams.

The Huskies and Navigators combined for a total of 15 penalties and 36 penalty minutes. In the end, the Huskies narrowly escaped with a shootout win of 5-4 in the Strike Group North West Junior Hockey League (NWJHL) contest.

After opening the scoring on a power-play goal by Huskies team captain Grayden Alexander, North Peace tied the contest before goals by Huskies’ forwards Xavier Burgher and Brody Mickey.

It was then the Navigators, winners of three of their previous five contests, found their edge. Scoring three unanswered goals beginning at the end of the first, they led the Huskies by a score of 4-3 through the end of the second and well into the third period.

Huskies forward Taryn Hoskyn then found his moment to shine, clipping a puck past Navigators goaltender Evan Norman from linemate Ryan Bookham with just 3:05 left in regulation, pushing the game to overtime.

After no goals were scored in the extra frame, Hoskyn – the last of five Fort St. John shooters – beat Norman again in the shootout, sealing the victory by a score of 5-4.

It was a bittersweet ending for Norman, who had made 47 saves on 52 shots to keep his team ahead for a majority of the contest.

Two nights before, on Friday, November 14th, a six-goal first period carried the Pups over the Fairview Flyers in an easy 11-0 victory. 

Nine different Huskies scored, including forward Ryan Ungstad, who had a hat trick. Burgher had a two-goal game, upping his season goal total to 18.

Other scorers included Carver Lequiere, Kalen Flodell, Brogan Wood, Jonny Timmons, MacCoy Willms and Alexander.

Fort St. John will next play the Beaverlodge Blades on Friday, November 21st at 8 p.m. at the Beaverlodge Arena. More details about the huskies are on the team’s Instagram, Facebook and website.