The weekend has come and gone, so it’s time to catch up on the happenings in the CCHL from the past week before this week’s action unfolds.

This past Wednesday saw more double-header action as the Hyland Electric Bolts took on the All-In Exploration/Mylner Electric Mad Trappers in Game 1. Game 2 of Wednesday’s double-header featured the Precision Eavestroughing Predators and the Yukon Benefits Sundogs, and this is where this report will begin.

With the Sundogs coming off a close game on Monday (a 2-2 tie against the Bolts), and the Predators having had a week off, both teams were hungry for a win, and it showed. The Predators wasted no time in attacking the Sundogs’ net, as four minutes into the game, Trevor ‘Swifty’ Smith had a glorious scoring chance down the left wing. Swifty found some open space, but was met by Sundogs goalie Kenny ‘Hacksaw’ Lindsay who had no choice but to come out and challenge Ol’ Swifty. When the play was over, Hack made the save, and the score remained 0-0.

The game’s first goal came when one Sundog found his way in the dog pound (penalty box) for tripping. Having won a defensive zone face-off, Sundog Colin Nickerson sped through the neutral zone to receive a pass from fellow Sundog Terry ‘The Boss’ Joss. Nickerson scored on the shorthanded breakaway, as he found the little open space Preds goalie Jaiden ‘Dubie’ Dubois provided (Dubie was a waiver pick-up for the night).

From thereon, the game featured great chances on both ends of the ice, as well as some epic defensive stops.

Perhaps the most compelling play of the game came midway through the second period. Facing a flurry of Predator shots, including a shot from Stevie ‘Eazy-A’ Anderson up close, Hacksaw lost track of the puck. When Hack felt the puck beneath him, he sprawled to cover the puck with his butt. Not knowing how close to the goal-line he was, Hack scootched his way further from the goal-line revealing the puck was not across the goal-line; but did the puck cross the line? Due to the lack of video review, the referees declared there was no goal.

The game remained 1-0 all the way until the final 15 seconds, when Sundog Phil Emerson shot a slapper that beat an exhausted Dubois. Despite the Predators solid effort, the Sundogs continued down the path of the CCHL with the victory.

Game 2 was simply a follow-up to the exciting action that took place in Game 1.

With some Trappers still out in the bush, All-In Exploration/Mylner Electric G.M’s Pat Hill and Riley Gibson claimed fellow CCHLers Jon Ferguson and Phil Emerson for the night. The first period saw some close action, reminiscent of these two teams’ last tilt, when the Trappers defeated the Hyland Electric Bolts by a score of 6-3.

The first period saw the Trappers make some nifty snare-like breakouts that caught the Bolts flat footed. These breakouts led to some sniper-like shots from Trappers Pat Hill, Lawrence ‘Blue Socks’ Brennan, and Drew ‘The Wizard’ Osborne. Not to be outdone, the Bolts were charged up thanks to first period goals scored by Marc ‘Flash’ Emond, Gabe ‘I’d rather be Fishing’ Rivest, and Matt ‘Attack’ Neuman.

The second period saw Bolts goalie Chris Stewart make some spectacular saves early on to keep the score deadlocked. However, about 5 minutes in, Trapper co-captain Pat Hill received a silky smooth pass that sent him in on a breakaway. Having watched some Pavel Datsyuk highlights before the game, Hill made a dandy move that beat Stuey, the Bolts goaltender. The Trappers added two more goals scored by Blue Socks and The Wizard. ‘Flash’ Emond added another goal for the Bolts on what was a beautiful snapshot down the left wing. Despite a late surge from the Bolts, the Trappers were able to hang on for a 6-4 victory.

CCHL action resumes tonight at the Canada Games Centre when the Sundogs face-off against the Mad Trappers.

That game will be followed by the Bolts who will take on the Dirty Northern Muckers. Great seats are still available.

Submitted by Kenny Lindsay