Something that has become a bit more of a problem lately saw the North Central AA Midget Bulls get fenced into another loss on Sunday.
The Bulls wound up with a parade to the penalty box early and often in a 3-2 loss to the Sturgeon Mustangs in Morinville.
An early first period powerplay goal got the Mustangs started and the Bulls would survive a four minute man-advantage for the home squad later in the frame, allowing them to tie the game on a goal by Jackson Roth with a little more than two minutes remaining.
And despite the fact the Bulls were nailed for 12 minutes worth of penalties in the middle stanza, they managed to get the lead with 1:13 remaining on Roth’s second of the contest following a nice passing combination from Alvin Halter and Shane Witney.
However, the air went out of that balloon as the Mustangs squared the game with one second left in the period.
The Bulls didn’t make things easier on themselves early in the third, taking a couple of penalties including a four minute powerplay – which included an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty – just over three minutes into the frame.
It wasn’t long after that advantage came to an end when the Mustangs got the eventual game winner.
A couple more penalties to the Bulls meant a loss of scoring opportunities, which they got back when the Mustangs got into penalty trouble late in the game. However, they couldn’t capitalize and left without the points head coach Jody Tangedal thought they should have gotten.
“Again, we had solid defence and goaltending, but couldn’t get any offence going with all the penalties. We needed to be more disciplined,” Tangedal said.
The game was the first one back after an 8-3 loss in St. Albert to the Crusaders on Dec. 21 and dropping a Dec. 20 game in Camrose 4-1.
Next on the horizon for the Bulls is rematch Saturday in Whitecourt, who the Bulls got their only win of the season against so far a month ago. The Bulls next home date is with Beaumont on Jan. 17 in Athabasca.
