Bashaw’s peewee Stars showed they are a tough team to beat.
The team played away in Ponoka Jan. 12 and made some solid plays to garner a 5-2 win against the Stampeders.
Coach Carman Meger said he pushes his team hard to do well and when they know they have what it takes to win, the team makes it happen.
“Our whole game is skating. I prefer the skating game, fore-checking,” said Meger.
While the first period went relatively steady with no one scoring, it was Samuel Ahenakew who gave Bashaw a leg up with a goal 42 seconds left in the first period. He was assisted by Levi Congdon and Ryland Masse.
That dedication payed off again 20 seconds into the second period with Lucas Ahenakew scoring. He received an assist from Taylor Fankhanel and Samuel Ahenakew.
Later in the stanza Levi Congdon scored, with help from Brock Dawbin and Curt Dyberg. Ponoka managed a goal in the third, so Bashaw scored its fourth with Brock Dawbin making the goal unassisted.
Meger said that while the Stars are a relatively small team, the players know that skating well makes plays happen.
“We’ve worked a lot on defensive side of the puck,” he added. “Position is huge.”
In the third period, Ponoka scored its second goal bringing the score to 4-2. Ponoka added the pressure on by taking out its goalie to make it a six on five scenario with minutes to spare.
“With the time we had left all I wanted to was keep the puck away from in front of our net,” said Meger.
He said right now the coaches’ focus is to play clean, simple hockey. “Small things are huge in the end.”
The Stars also are a relatively small bench with 13 players, and this game against Ponoka, they were down one of those 13.
Within the four sections of the Northern Alberta Interlock, Meger feels their big challenger will be against Fox Creek. The Stars will be playing against Fox Creek at home Jan. 26, which should prove to be an exciting game.
For Meger, the biggest piece for his team will be to ensure the players are conditioned. Being in Bashaw, where there is plenty of ice time for teams has helped the Stars keep a strong work ethic on the ice.
Coaches also challenge the team to practice hard on the ice.
The Stars’ game against Maskwacis Jan. 13 was not available at press time.
jeff.heyden-kaye@ponokanews.com
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