Despite injuries, Huskies hold pivotal series’ lead

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Despite injuries to key players, the Fort St. John Huskies are two wins away from a trip to the Strike Group North West Junior Hockey League (NWJHL) finals. 

Two wins against the Dawson Creek Kodiaks on Friday and Sunday have given the Pups a two games to none series lead in the best-of-seven Caliber Energy East/West Division finals.

On February 21st, the Huskies overcame a slow start to beat the Kodiaks 4-0 before a home crowd. Colby Busche had two goals, while both Ryan Ungstad and Ashton Underhill contributed with a pair of assists.

It wasn’t all great news for the Huskies. Captain Grayden Alexander left game one with an injury.  Head coach Todd Alexander says the forward will be unavailable for the remainder of the series.

The Huskies jumped out to an early lead in game two on February 23rd at North Peace Arena and beat the Kodiaks 7-2. MacCoy Willms scored a pair of goals in the first and third periods.

Other contributors in game two included forwards Underhill and Ungstad had two assists each, and Xavier Burgher had a goal and an assist. Busche had another goal along with two assists.

But there was another injury, this time to goaltender Ethan Fechter.  Fechter had a shutout in game one, but left Sunday’s game two. Evan Baker stepped in and made 12 stops in relief.  

Alexander says Fechter, who has played on Vancouver Island and in Saskatchewan before joining the Huskies this season, is day-to-day.

Fort St. John will try to take a commanding 3-0 series lead when they play the Kodiaks on Friday, February 28th at the Memorial Arena in Dawson Creek, with game time scheduled for 8:30 p.m.

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