A 6-2 loss to the Devon Barons was not the way the Athabasca Aces wanted to wrap up the regular season.
But nevertheless, that was the result of their game at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex on Friday night. With the stands packed with fans for the last game before the playoffs, the Aces started strong and built up a 2-1 lead over the league leading Barons before ultimately falling behind.
ìOur best players werenít our best tonight,î noted head coach Curtis Creaser after the game.
The coach couldnít help but be frustrated by the teamís continued struggles with consistency.
ìAgain, itís urgency. We play a great game, and then we play a dud. It seems like weíre going through the motions in the second half of the game. In the third period (on Friday) we just died.î
Against a team like the Barons, nothing less than your best effort will do, and the Aces were beaten in the little battles.
They also had trouble converting on their chances.
ìWe missed a penalty shot and three breakaways, and those are momentum killers,î said the coach.
ìOur power play struggled as well.î
The challenge for the Aces now is to forget about the disappointing game against Devon and focus on the Edson Ice, their first round playoff opponents whom they will visit for Game One this weekend.
Though the Ice finished ahead of the Aces in the standings, Creaser sees the teams as being relatively even, and might even give the edge to his squad.
If nothing else, he knows his players can beat them if they play the way they can.
ìIf we play physical, theyíll hear the footsteps. We have to play physical, be hitting everything that moves.î
Creaser is confident his team will be ready for the Ice.
ìTheyíre competitors, and they want to win.î
Theyíll need to bring all of their desire to Edson this weekend because, in a best-of-three series, neither team can afford to lose.
ìYou have to win the first game. Itís crucial, especially on the road.î
The following weekend, the Aces will host Edson for Game 2. Game 3, if required, will also be played that weekend.
Ideally, the Aces would like to win this series in two and move on to the crossover semi-final series.
The team has never made it past the first round of the playoffs, and this is as good a year as any to do so.
ìWith the players we have this year, we should do it. Itíd be nice to play Devon in the final.î
