Chris Clegg
NPHL.com Writer
The Grande Prairie Athletics have pulled to within one point of the first place Dawson Creek Canucks in the race for first place in the West Division after a 5-3 win over their B.C. rivals Jan. 17.
Alex Curran scored twice while Darien Fay, Lyndin Lewis and Dennis Rix added the other goals.
Levi George, Jason Higson and Matt Schmermund replied for the Canucks, who lost despite outshooting GP 48-31. DC outshot GP 23-4 in the second period but only outscored GP 1-0 as goaltender Tyler Boe was outstanding making 22 saves.
DC [13-3-0-0] still has a game in hand on GP [11-3-3-0]. DC has four games left, GP three. DC has a home and home versus FAL and are at FSJ. The big game is in Jan. 24 when DC hosts GP, who have games left at DC and HP, and home to FSJ.
GP led 2-0 in the first period and 3-2 after one. DC tied the game with the only goal of the second period. Rix’s goal with 7:40 left in the game was on the power play and gave GP a 4-3 lead. Curran’s second of the night into an empty net sealed the win.
Canucks 3 at Athletics 5
Thursday, Jan. 17
First period
1. GP, Alex Curran 2 (Mackenzie Caron, Dennis Rix) 00:33
2. GP, Lyndin Lewis 2 (Tyrell Mason, Morgan MacLean) 3:51
3. DC, Jason Higson 5 (Riley Muise, Tyler Reay) 7:15
4. GP, Darien Fay 8 (Brock Clement, Sheldon Hubbard) 13:11
5. DC, Levi George 6 (Kevin Swales) 14:10
Penalties: Andrew Buote GP (hooking) 8:26, Parker Sharp GP (interference) 15:22, Evan Weaver DC (holding) 18:40.
Second period
6. DC, Matt Schmermund 13 (Kevin Swales, Evan Weaver) 6:52 (pp)
Penalties: DC player (unidentified – no number 77, unsportsmanlike conduct) and Jon Mirasty GP (roughing) and Brock Clement GP 9 (butt-ending double minor) 4:56, Mark Stojan GP (cross-checking) 9:28, Spencer Gover DC (holding) 14:52, Matt Schmermund DC (tripping) 19:24.
Third period
7. GP, Dennis Rix 17 (Tanner Labbe, Tyrell Mason) 12:20 (pp)
8. GP, Alex Curran 3 (unassisted) 19:17 (en)
Penalties: Sheldon Hubbard GP (tripping) 4:49, Levi George DC (tripping) 11:51.
Shots on goal:
Dawson Creek 12 23 13 -48
Grande Prairie 19 4 8 -31 Goaltenders: Canucks, Kenton White; GP, Tyler Boe.
Power Plays: DC 1-6; GP 1-4.
Penalties in Minutes: DC 10; GP 14.