Huskies swept in NWJHL finals as La Crete claims title

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Fort St. John Huskies’ championship hopes were dashed after they fell to the La Crete Lumber Barons in a four-game sweep.

Losses in games three and four meant the Lumber Barons claimed their second Strike Group North West Junior Hockey League (NWJHL) title in three seasons on Saturday, March 14th.

Meanwhile, the Huskies were eluded in their chance for a sixth title in seven years as a result.

On Friday, March 13th, captain Grayden Alexander started the scoring for Fort St. John at the North Peace Arena, with a goal on the Huskies’ first shot of the game.

However, that was one of the few highlights of the contest. The Lumber Barons, winners of 36 regular-season games, scored six unanswered goals en route to a 7-2 victory. Ryan Ungstad had the other goal for the Huskies.

On Saturday, March 14th, the Lumber Barons captured the title with a 6-2 victory. Alexander gave the Huskies an early lead again, before La Crete scored a pair of goals to take the lead before the end of the first period, a lead they would not relinquish. 

Ungstad, in his last game as a Husky, also scored in the loss. 

Lumber Barons’ forward Drew Friesen, who had seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points in the playoffs, was named playoff MVP.

La Crete now advances to the Hockey Alberta junior ‘B’ provincial championships, hosted in Lloydminster from April 1st to April 5th.

For more on the Fort St. John Huskies, visit the team’s Facebook and Instagram pages or website.