The Barrhead Steelers faced off against the Strathcona Warriors Friday night, and skated their way to an easy victory with a final score of 5-1 in their second regular season game.
The Barrhead Steelers faced off against the Strathcona Warriors Friday night, and skated their way to an easy victory with a final score of 5-1 in their second regular season game.
Barrhead may not have begun the game on the right foot, landing an interference penalty only two minutes in, but it didn’t take long for the Steelers to show off their skill. Just under 18 minutes into the game Josh Perdaems put the Steelers up 1-0 with an assist from Cole Walker.
One minute later the Warriors retaliated with their first, and final goal of the game. The tie was broken with six minutes left in the third period, when Tyson Chizma shot the puck into the net giving Barrhead a 2-1 lead.
In addition to early interference, the Steelers spent time in the penalty box for checking to the head, as well as too many men on the ice in the first period.
It took a little longer for any change to the game score during the second period. However, things heated up five minutes in with a goal by Brayden Laun, assisted by teammates Jordan Boylerice and Chizma.
Seconds later the Steelers slammed the Warriors with another goal, shot by Cole Walker with the help of Jordan Smith and Perdaems.
Another three penalties were awarded in the second period for roughing, interference, and checking to the head.
Entering into the third period spirits were high in the crowd. Barrhead was up 4-1, and a solid win was in sight. The game became more aggressive, and the Steelers landed themselves six penalties for checking, slashing, and interference.
Though they had many scoring opportunities, Barrhead couldn’t manage to tuck the puck into the net until the final moments of the game. With one minute left on the clock, Chizma slipped in one final goal for the team, his second of the night.
Despite the win, head coach Daniel Lefebvre was less than pleased with the performance of the team. They may have won the game, but Lefebvre felt there should have been a wider gap between the scores.
“I’m kind of disappointed with the guys. They were lacking some work ethic tonight,” he said. “It should have been a much wider spread than four goals. We looked lazy.”
Lefebvre was suspended for three games, the third of which was Friday night. Having to watch the Steelers from the stands has been tough, he said, especially when he could see his players not playing at their full potential.
“We started being lazy out there and not wanting the puck when we should have. We had an opportunity in the second period for many power plays, and we just never capitalized,” he said. “You get a different view from the stands than what it would be behind the bench. It was hard to watch from up there and not be able to do anything about it.”
Though they have a win tucked under their belt, the Steelers can expect to be pushed at their next practice after a night that left their coach unimpressed with their performance.
“It’s hard to say after winning by four goals that it’s disappointing,” said Lefebvre. “ I think they thought it would come easier. After tonight we will be working on their worth ethic.”
