LAC LA BICHE, ALTA., (Oct. 6, 2018) — The SAIT Trojans men’s hockey team felt like they didn’t capitalize on their chances on Friday night. They sure made up for it Saturday afternoon.
The Trojans scored four goals in both the first and third periods on their way to a one-sided 8-1 win over the host Portage College Voyageurs in their Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) matinee played at the Bold Center in Lac La Biche, Alta.
“This was a great bonding trip for the boys, and it was a bonus coming away with two wins,” said Trojans head coach Brent Devost. “But ultimately, we are building good habits, and that is what I was really happy with this weekend – the outcome is important, but the process is right where I wanted it to be leaving here.”
The win gives SAIT (2-0) four out of a four possible points from the weekend set. On Friday night, the Trojans were able to grab the ‘W’, but did so by way of a very narrow 2-1 decision.
“I can’t say that we played a bad game Friday night. We played a very similar game today, but we were just able to bury our chances this time around,” he added. “We moved the puck well, and stayed disciplined to our systems.”
Portage falls to 0-2.
Aside from the four goals scored by SAIT in the opening frame, both teams traded trips to the penalty box in what can be politely described as a spirited first 20 minutes of play.
The rowdiness settled down in the second, as they teams traded a few chances each, but no goals were scored.
Portage’s Brayden Dale broke the shutout bid of Trojans goalie Payton Lee (2nd year, Cranbrook, BC, Power and Process Operations) early in the third to cut the lead to 4-1. However, SAIT restored the four-goal lead and then made it five, six, and then seven later on to seal the win.
Both Dean Allison (4th year, Surrey, BC, Bachelor of Business Administration) and Zach McNeill (2nd year, Calgary, Business Administration) scored two goals to lead the Trojans.
Also scoring on the night was Erik Pedersen (3rd year, Airdrie, Alta., Business Administration); Matt Houston (2nd year, Rosetown, Sask., Business Administration); Colton McCarthy (3rd year, Salmon Arm, BC, Geographic Information Systems); and Estian Coetzee (1st year, Fort McMurray, Alta., Academic Upgrading).
Owen LaClare (2nd year, Edam, Sask., Power and Process Operations) was in on just about each goal, recording six assists to be named his team’s Player of the Game.
“He was an absolute beast tonight,” Devost said with a laugh. “He was finding guys on his back, finding guys who were cutting with speed; the most important thing is that guys were getting open. It was a really good day for him.”
The Trojans return to action next weekend with a pair of games against the Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder – Friday night in Edmonton at 7pm, and Saturday night at home for a 7pm puck drop.
