The opening round of the provincial hockey playdowns has been fairly devastating for Athabasca teams.
Only two are left alive and one of those – the PeeWee ‘B’ Hawks – had a bye and will face Drayton Valley.
The other is the Bantam ‘B’ team coached by Dustin Chisholm, who lost the first of their two game, total goal series 6-1 in Drayton Valley Saturday.
Athabasca’s other Bantam ‘B’ team fell 13-0 to Barrhead Sunday at the Multiplex. Head coach Neil Hanzel said the team played hard and simply ran out of gas.
The PeeWee ‘C’ Hawks were far over-matched against Westlock and lost 24-2 at the Multiplex last Wednesday and, as Hockey Alberta rules state, a loss by 10 or more means not having to play a return match.
In Atom action, Athabasca top Atom club took one on the chin, losing 15-2 last Tuesday in Legal against the Sturgeon Mustangs.
Meanwhile, both Atom ‘C’ clubs came the closest to making it – the Sea Hawks losing both games, last Tuesday at the Multiplex and in Westlock Sunday, by scores of 5-4, while the Storm Hawks lost their series by one goal after an 8-3 win Saturday at the Multiplex then losing 11-5 Sunday in Wabamun.
Storm Hawks head coach Jason Zayezierski said the last five minutes Sunday was intense as the went to tie the series, but couldn’t bury any of their chances.
Meanwhile, Sea Hawks head coach Brett Phillips said a couple of mistakes cost them leads late in both games.
Both coaches though are very proud of each team’s effort.
