The Barrhead Renegades may not have had the most successful season so far, but their game Jan. 2 proved they still know how to play a good game of hockey and come out on top.
The team faced off against Leduc Saturday night, knowing they were up against one of the better teams in the league. Each team played vigourously in the first period, and as the clock ran out it was still a scoreless game.
Entering into the second period it didn’t look like much would be changing, as both Barrhead and Leduc were unable to slip the puck past the goalie. However, Renegades player Jory Proft, assisted by Brandon Marsh and Troy Starman, put the first goal on the board with seven minutes left in the second.
Just four minutes later Starman scored a goal of his own, with the help of teammates Proft and Jesse Steele. The Renegades were up two goals to none, but their shutout wouldn’t last long.
With only two minutes left in the second Leduc managed to score, making the game 2-1 going into the third.
Less than five minutes after the start of the last period, the Renegades celebrated another goal by Nicholas Murrell, assisted by Marsh and Starman. The boys played the remainder of the game without another goal, but the deal was already sealed.
The Barrhead Renegades could leave the ice with pride, holding a 3-1 victory.
This season hasn’t been an easy one, said Renegades coach Jason Murrell. Many of the games they have played, they’ve lost by one or two goals. Saturday night they were finally able to win by a couple goals against one of the better teams in the league.
“We actually went out and played 60 games of hockey,” said Murrell. “We simplified the game a little bit. “Everybody played really well. The goaltender, defense, forward, they all played well.”
The boys also managed to stay out of the penalty box more than they usually do, which worked in their favour. In a league that is very close skill wise, every little thing counts when working towards a victory.
“It’s very tight as far as the top and the bottom of the league,” said Murrell. “It’s a really close caliber of hockey. On any night you could beat any team.”
This Friday the boys head to Westlock for their next game, which should be a good one according to Murrell. The Renegades also have their first provincial game on Saturday, but the coach is unsure of how that will turn out.
“I just want to keep it simple. You want to play good solid hockey,” he said. “We’re not really expecting a whole bunch, just because the level that we were put into for certain circumstances, we will be playing against teams that are in a higher level than us.”
Though it will be a big challenge for the boys, Murrell still expects his players to play hard and compete to the best of their ability.
The Renegades have also been struggling with a steady stream of injuries throughout the season, never playing with a full team.
“It seems like one guy gets healthy and another guy gets an injury,” said Murrell. “But we’re working hard and coming through it.”
As the boys work through their injuries and improve on their skill, Murrell said he is focusing on having the team support the puck as well as each other on the ice.
“Instead of five individuals I want them to work together and work as a unit,” he said. “We’ve been really working on that and simplifying the game.”
