Chris Clegg
NPHL.com Writer
For the most part, it’s been a brutal season for the High Prairie Regals.
But they will enter the NPHL playoffs on a high note after defeating the visiting Manning Comets 5-2 at the Sports Palace Saturday.
Mitch Price scored twice and added an assist to lead HP. Austin Mood-Flagg, Brandon McNabb and Damian Cardinal added the other goals.
Joel Henitiuk and Jeremie Perron replied for MAN, who loses on back-to-back nights to end the season.
HP never trailed, taking a 2-0 lead in the first period. MAN did tie the game in the second period but Price’s second of the night proved to be the game-winner. HP added two goals in the final six minutes from Mood-Flagg and Cardinal to seal the win.
HP’s win avoided a season sweep of the Comets in their six games.
Tentatively, HP plays at Falher Tuesday to open playoffs while MAN is at Grimshaw.
MAN will be without the services of Michael Vreeling, while HP is without Kole Shaw. Each received fighting majors in the last 10 minutes of the third period prompting the suspension.
Comets 2 at Regals 5
Saturday, Feb. 2
First period
1. HP, Mitch Price 7 (Kirk Ruecker) 4:13
2. HP, Brandon McNabb 4 (Larry Yellowknee, Austin Doan) 7:55
3. MAN, Joel Henitiuk 2 (Tyler Dillman) 14:58
Penalty: Jamie MacMinn HP (tripping) 19:32.
4. MAN, Jeremie Perron 5 (Dalton Ducharme, Logan Newman) 3:28
5. HP, Mitch Price 8 (Kirk Ruecker, Chris LeGresley) 10:27
Penalties: Tyler Dillman MAN and Damian Cardinal HP (roughing) and Larry Yellowknee HP (boarding) 1:08, Dalton Ducharme MAN and Austin Doan HP (fighting majors, game misconducts) 10:12.
Third period
6. HP, Austin Mood-Flagg 3 (Chris LeGresley, Mitch Price) 14:59
7. HP, Damian Cardinal 5 (Larry Yellowknee, Brandon McNabb) 15:50.
Penalties: Logan Newman MAN (tripping) 4:04, Jamie MacMinn HP (slashing) 7:19, Jamie MacMinn HP (boarding) 11:52, Michael Vreeling MAN and Kole Shaw HP (fighting majors, game misconducts) 16:23.
Shots on goal:
Manning 14 12 13 -39
High Prairie 11 5 10 -26 Goaltenders: Comets, Braden Gamble; Regals, Keygon Okemow.
Power Plays: MAN 0-4; HP 0-1.
Penalties in Minutes: MAN 34; HP 40.