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Steelers take on Battle River in physical affair

Timely goaltending along with strong special teams catapulted the Barrhead Steelers past their Battle River Knights opponents 5-2 in a physical affair at home Dec. 14.
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Landon Petiot scores the first of what would be two power-play goals in the second period.

Timely goaltending along with strong special teams catapulted the Barrhead Steelers past their Battle River Knights opponents 5-2 in a physical affair at home Dec. 14.

After an evenly played first period, Barrhead skated off the ice at intermission with a 1-0 lead thanks to a goal by Jeremy DeVries, assisted by Brendan Bujold and Brayden Bain just past the midway mark.

In the second period, BattleRiver tied the game on a power-play goal 25 seconds in.

Barrhead responded, two-minutes later with a power-play goal by captain Owen Weeks, assisted by Bujold and Bain. Less than a minute later the Knights tied the game once again, but that is as close as they would get.

In the closing minutes of the game, Barrhead took control of the game scoring two successive power-play goals by Landon Petiot. The first one with four minutes left in the period on assists by Devyn Kerr and Blake Starman, the next with about two minutes later. w DeVries and Siraj Assaf were awarded assists on the second goal.

In the third period, Bujold put the game out of reach scoring a short-handed breakaway goal with assists awarded to DeVries and Justin Haltiner.

Head coach Alan Measures said he was pleased with the team’s effort.

“They played a strong game against one of our tougher opponents we have had so far this season,” he said, adding he was especially pleased by the team’s special team play.

“Our penalty kill was strong as it has been all year, but tonight our power-play was just as effective.”

Measures added that is something the team has been working hard to improve.

“It’s been very strong when we do the things we are supposed to do, but sometimes we don’t play within our systems.”

It was the second time the Steelers played the Knights. On Dec. 8, on the road, Barrhead defeated Battle River 3-2, which is why the game was as physical and emotionally charged as it was.

The referee and linesmen penalized Battle River 11 times, including one game misconduct and two fighting majors. Barrhead was penalized nine times, including two fighting majors. The major penalties occurred midway the third period during a goal crease scuffle after the Knights ran the Barrhead goaltender.

Brandon Meier stopped 19 out of 21 shots to earn the win. The next day the Steelers defeated Drayton Valley on the road 5-1 to bring their record to 11-0-0. The Steelers next game is Dec. 18 on the road against the Westlock Warriors. Their next game at home is Dec. 21 against Fort McMurray. Puck drop is at 8:30 p.m.


Barry Kerton

About the Author: Barry Kerton

Barry Kerton is the managing editor of the Barrhead Leader, joining the paper in 2014. He covers news, municipal politics and sports.
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