The midget A Stettler Legion Blues posted a 1-3-1 record in the annual Medicine Hat midget AA hockey tournament last weekend.
“Overall, we were happy with the tournament,” said Stettler manager and assistant coach Neil McCallum.
“It was good to see we could compete with any team in AA hockey and it showed us areas we need to work on. The Calgary teams had a lot of depth and full rosters, whereas we have just 13 skaters.”
In their opening game, the Blues tied Prince Albert 2-2 as they relied on physical and disciplined play. Stettler captain Parker Cassidy was named player of the game, while Jordan McCallum tended goal.
Stettler remained unbeaten with a 3-1 victory over the host Medicine Hat team. Devon Woelk got the win in the Blues’ net, while rookie Kieran Rost earned player-of-the-game honours.
Fatigue and a lack of manpower caught up with the Blues as they two games Saturday and another Sunday.
The speedy Calgary Stampeders beat Stettler 6-1. Jordan McCallum was named player of the game as he faced more than 50 shots in the Blues’ net.
With a 1-1-1 round-robin record, Stettler finished second in its pool and went up against the Calgary Blue Royals in the semifinals. The Royals won 7-1 as the Blues showed the effects of playing four games in two days with a short lineup.
Woelk saw more than 50 in the Stettler net, while Justin McKenzie was a physical presence in earning player-of-the-game honours.
In its final game Sunday, Stettler lost 4-1 to the Prairie Storm of White City, Sask.
“The early morning game took a toll (the Blues), who came out slow and fl at,” coach McCallum said. “We fell behind early and couldn’t recover.”
Stettler’s player of the game was defenceman Brett Rider.
Final score was 4-1 for the Storm. Player of the game was defenceman Brett Rider.
It’s a busy pre-Christmas week for Stettler, which has three league games in four days. The Blues host Wetaskiwin on Thursday night, visit Devon on Saturday and are home to Rimbey on Sunday.
Stettler has a 7-1-1 record atop the North Central Minor Hockey Association.
MIDGET B: The Stettler midget B team ran its Tier 3 record to 3-0-1 with an 8-6 victory over Maskwacis at home Sunday.
Brandon Kent and Will Whiteside each scored two goals for Stettler, and Peter McNaughton collected a goal and three assists.
The other Stettler scorers were Jordan Fisher, Tanner Steinwand and Kyle Froese. Jarret Hampton made 29 saves.