Chris Clegg
NPHL.com Writer
A four-goal third period proved to be the difference as the hometown Grande Prairie Athletics defeated the Falher Pirates 6-1 Jan. 12.
Tanner Labbe and Brock Clement gave GP a 2-1 first period lead with Pat Rowan scoring FAL’s goal.
The second period was scoreless setting up an exciting third.
However, GP dominated outscoring FAL 4-0 and outshooting them 23-13.
Labbe’s second of the night made it 3-1 just 18 seconds in. At the 7:54 mark Alex Curran scored. He was playing in his first game with GP this season. Braden Cone’s shorthanded goal with 2:19 left and Darien Fay’s goal with 48 seconds left sealed the win.
GP pulls to within one point of idle DC in the race for first in the West Division and a first round bye. DC has played two less games, however.
Meanwhile, FAL has lost two straight games after a nine-game winning streak. They are still home and cooled for first in the East Division, enjoying a nine-point lead over second place MAN [depending on the HP at GRIM result], each teams had six games left.
Pirates 1 at Athletics 6
Saturday, Jan. 12
First period
1. GP, Tanner Labbe 3 (Blake Clement) 2:03
2. FAL, Pat Rowan 18 (Darren Brochu) 11:45
3. GP, Brock Clement 2 (Mark Stojan) 18:08
Penalties: Blake Clement GP (slew-foot double minor) and Sheldon Hubbard GP (misconduct) 2:45, Darren Brochu FAL (roughing) and Braden Crone GP (goaltender interference, roughing after whistle) 18:23.
Second period
No scoring.
Penalties: Trevor Mazurek FAL (slew-foot double minor) 1:09, Kiefer Smiley GP (delay of game) 16:30.
Third period
4. GP, Tanner Labbe 4 (Blake Clement) 00:18
5. GP, Alex Curran 1 (Tanner Labbe, Devin Bell) 6:54
6. GP, Braden Crone 11 (Andrew Buote) 17:41 (sh)
7. GP, Darien Fay 7 (Lyndin Lewis, Devin Bell) 19:12
Penalties: Jay Anderson FAL (tripping) 7:40, Trevor Mazurek FAL (cross-checking major, game misconduct) and Darien Fay GP (slashing) 11:23, Lyndin Lewis GP (unsportsmanlike conduct) 13:23, Rocky Collins FAL (boarding) 13:40, Chad Rycroft FAL (slashing) 14:32, Parker Sharp GP (slashing) 15:41.
Shots on goal:
Falher 9 11 13 -33
Grande Prairie 18 13 23 -54 Goaltenders: Pirates, Chad Rycroft; Athletics, Kiefer Smiley.
Power Plays: FAL 0-6; GP 0-6.
Penalties in Minutes: FAL 27; GP 26.