Next stop, Edson. On Wednesday, Jan. 28, the Barrhead Steelers guaranteed their spot against Edson in the next round of the Midget A Provincial playoffs, winning the final game of a two game total points series, 6 to 1 against St. Albert at the Barrhead Arena. In order to qualify to enter the Provincial Midget A Championship tournament the team must first win three qualifying playoff rounds.
Next stop, Edson.
On Wednesday, Jan. 28, the Barrhead Steelers guaranteed their spot against Edson in the next round of the Midget A Provincial playoffs, winning the final game of a two game total points series, 6 to 1 against St. Albert at the Barrhead Arena.
In order to qualify to enter the Provincial Midget A Championship tournament the team must first win three qualifying playoff rounds.
The Steelers took the first game, in St. Albert on Jan. 20 in a closely contested game by a score of 3 to 2, effectively taking a one goal lead into Wednesday's contest.
However, the Steelers didn't need it.
From the opening puck drop, the Steelers dominated the game.
After the first period the Steelers outshot St. Albert 15 to 9 taking a 3 to 0 lead on goals by Koby Adams, Declan Kummer and Tanner Whiting.
In the second period, the Steelers continued their dominance scoring three more unanswered goals, outshooting their opponents 26 to 2. Second period goal scorers were Nicholas Murrell, Tanner Whiting (scoring a nifty goal on a breakaway from the blueline after splitting the defense) and Nathan Schmidt.
In the third period, St. Albert ruined starting goaltender Logan Branden's shutout bid by scoring during a short breakaway in the first minute of the period.
Steelers head coach Jason Murrell said the game was quite different than their first game against St. Albert.
“I think we kind of had them on their heels a bit in the first period and St. Albert never recovered,” he said, adding that overall the team played well at both ends of the ice.
“We did have a couple lapses for a short time in both the first and third period, but overall I think we played a very solid game,” Murrell said, adding that there was still room for improvement.
For instance, Murrell said the team took too many penalties for his liking.
“Our penalty kill was very good tonight, but if we keep going into the box, it is eventually going to bite us,” he said.
As for the upcoming series against Edson, Murrell said once again it will be a two game total point series.
“I don't know too much about the Edson team, except that they are playing in the league we played in last year (North Central League) and that they are doing very well,” he said, adding that isn't a surprise.
“Edson has three (midget) teams, so there are a lot of players for their strongest team to choose from,” Murrell said.
The dates for the next round have not been announced, but Murrell suspects the Steelers will open at home and that the series will have to be completed no later than Feb. 15.
