The Lac La Biche Junior B Clippers played their home opener to an active crowd of approximately 350 fans, who were rewarded with a 10-4 victory in a wild game over the Saddle Lake Warriors.
The Lac La Biche Junior B Clippers played their home opener to an active crowd of approximately 350 fans, who were rewarded with a 10-4 victory in a wild game over the Saddle Lake Warriors.
The game was the first taste of Junior B hockey in Lac La Biche County since the original Clippers team folded in 2000, and the excitement was very evident in the community and among the players.
“Everyone was excited about the Junior B’ s going again,” said team head coach Clint Trimble talking about the community at large. “The players were ready to go at the start.”
Those nerves perhaps explain the boost of energy. The team scored five goals in the first 10 minutes and ended the first period with a 7-4 lead in a crazy first period. The two teams played more fundamentally sound hockey in the second period, with no goals scored on either side, and the Clippers scored three in the third to ensure the victory.
Clippers forward Neil Vermillion, who was named first star of the night, particularly broke out during the last game. He scored four goals with a couple involving beautiful individual efforts, as well as get an assist on Isaac Barr’ s third period goal.
The 21-year-old Fort McMurray native spread the credit around for the victory.
"It was a team effort, and it was good to come out with the two points,” said Vermillion. “The team’ s been working hard and it’ s good to see results happen in a game.”
Barr had two goals and an assist in the game, while Joyce Matson also had two goals.
Though Trimble was also proud of his team’ s effort, he also did point out some areas of improvement. The Clippers led the Warriors 7-2 before giving up two late goals in the first period to go out, which Trimble said caused him some concern.
“If you’ re letting in late period goals, that worries me,” he said. “But we settled down in the second. We didn’ t score, but we kept them from scoring.”
Trimble also talked broader areas for how the team can do better throughout the year.
“All areas can be improved,” he said. “Our defensive zone coverage can definitely be improved, we need to work on our powerplay and winning battles along the boards is something we have to work on. If you win 90 per cent of those you’ ve got the game.”
The team will play the Vegreville Rangers at the Bold Center on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
