ST. PAUL - The St. Paul Canadiens have made local history and finished the 2023-24 season in the number one spot of the North Eastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League (NEAJBHL).
The Canadiens played back-to-back home games in St. Paul last week, winning both games and solidifying their place as the best regular season team in the league.
On Feb. 8, the Canadiens welcomed the Lloydminster Bandits to the Clancy Richard Arena, and won the match 2-1.
The Canadiens scored first, with a goal from Isaak Watters, assisted by Quinn Szpak and William Chemago. A goal from Szpak in the second period put the Canadiens ahead 2-0 before the Bandits found the net near the end of the second period.
Heading into the third period 2-1, the Canadiens held on for the win.
On Friday night, the Cold Lake Ice came to town. The Canadiens opened the scoring with a goal from Chemago, but the Ice responded with a goal from Bryce Harrison. The first period saw the scoreboard change several times, as the teams battled back and forth.
Heading into the second period, the score was tied 3-3. A reset between periods saw the Canadiens score three unanswered goals in the second period, giving them a 6-3 lead.
Once again, the third period saw no scoring.
Playoffs
The first round of playoffs are scheduled to start this week, with the Canadiens taking on the eight placed Onion Lake Border Chiefs on Feb. 15 at the Clancy Richard Arena. Game 2 will take place in St. Paul on Feb. 17.
The Wainwright Bisons will take on the Vegreville Rangers, the Lloydminster Bandits will take on the Cold Lake Ice, and the Vermilion Tigers will take on the Killam Wheat Kings. A full schedule is available on the NEAJBHL website.
