Sherwood Park Crusaders (14-12-1) VS Grande Prairie Storm (6-19-5) Wednesday November 30th, 2016
Media: Crusaders Hockey on AJHL WebTV
The Sherwood Park Crusaders will look to pick up where they left off at the Sherwood Park Arena when they host the Grande Prairie Storm Wednesday night.
The Crusaders last left the ice to a 6-1 Win over the Bonnyville Pontiacs, it was a type of win that had eluded the Crusaders for some time.
Through the month, dominating wins were few a far between, as Sherwood Park was picking up W’s but not by huge margins.
“It was good to get a [win] against a really good team.” Says Crusaders Captain Ben Sowa.
The veteran scored two Goals for Sherwood Park, and his first since October 29th.
“We played a strong game, everyone was going and all lines were clicking, we were strong. Getting the two Goals felt good, it was kind of a monkey off my back.” Said Sowa on Saturday’s Win.
Wednesday, the Crusaders take on a struggling Storm team for the first time this season.
It’s been a November to not remember for Grande Prairie, who has lost 13 Games in a row and are only three Points ahead of the last place Lloydminster Bobcats.
The biggest reasons for the disappointing streak for the Storm have been their dismal road record at 1-12-2 and a division worst 128 Goals Against.
But the Crusaders cannot take the Storm lightly, last time they faced a team that was in a funk, they lost, 5-1 to the Drayton Valley Thunder.
“We got to keep it going against Grande Prairie, keep everyone’s play up, simple Crusader hockey.” Says Sowa on facing Grande Prairie.
Sherwood Park can’t let the Storm hang around and must continue the excellent Special Teams play that has included a Short Handed Goal and three Power Play markers in the last two Games.
The Crusaders will also have to keep Storm Forward Michael Clarke at bay. The three year AJHL veteran leas the team with 14 Goals and 14 Assists.
It is likely that Goaltender Josh Morrissey makes his return to the Crusader net, as he comes off a concussion suffered from the November 12th game against Whitecourt.
With two big games over the weekend that will projected to be starts for Zac Klassen, it’s the right opportunity to get Morrissey some action. Goaltender Matt Berlin remains with Seattle in the Western Hockey League and likely will be down in the Emerald City for some time.
-Story By Taylor Medak