It was a busy Thanksgiving weekend for the St. Paul Canadiens and Saddle Lake Warriors Junior B hockey teams. Both teams faced tough competition and devastating losses on the scoreboard.
The Warriors faced the Bisons in Wainwright on Wednesday. After three periods of play, the game ended 12-4 in favour of the Bisons.
On Sunday, the Canadiens laced up their skates and faced the Wainwright Bisons for the team's first regular home game of the season.
The final score of the game was 16-3, but despite the score on the board, head coach Tony Meger said the atmosphere and the fans in attendance were great.
“It didn't feel like a 16-3 game," he said, adding, “the boys worked hard" and the fans seemed to enjoy themselves. “The atmosphere was there."
This week, the team will concentrate on reducing the number of shots being fired at their goalie, he said, adding that allowing over 70 shots on goal is something that has to change. The team will work on its defensive game and will again face-off against the Bisons on Friday in Wainwright.
The Warriors faced the Vermilion Tigers in Vermilion on Oct. 7. The Tigers scored 56 seconds into the game and kept the scoring momentum up throughout three periods of play with a total of 15 goals scored.
The Warriors would fall flat and wouldn't find the back of the net even once.
The Warriors will hit the ice in Lloydminster on Friday, followed by a game in Cold Lake on Saturday. The Warriors will also host a game at home on Oct. 21 against Cold Lake, and on Oct. 22 against Vegreville.
The Canadiens will host two home games next week on Oct. 21 against Lloydminster and Oct. 23 against Thorhild.