Sherwood Park Crusaders (19-6-2) VS Whitecourt Wolverines (19-4-3) November 25th, 2015 – 7:00 PM
Media: AJHL Web TV
A lot is on the line tonight in Sherwood Park. One team will continue its winning streak and one team will join the Spruce Grove Saints and Lloydminster Bobcats as the only three teams in the Alberta Junior Hockey League with 20 or more wins.
The Sherwood Park Crusaders host the Whitecourt Wolverines for the first time this season, however, it will be the third meeting between these two clubs, with the Wolverines winning both games so far this season.
A change of venue might just be the key for the Crusaders as they could not pick up a victory on October 10th in Mayerthorpe, losing 6-3 and dropping a 4-3 Overtime decision on November 3rd.
The challenge won’t be easy, the Wolverines have the fewest regulation road losses in the AJHL with a road record of 8-1-2.
Whitecourt is riding a four game winning streak and are 9-1-0 in their last 10. The Wolverines most recent victory came last Saturday on the road in Fort McMurray, clubbing the Oil Barons 7-4.
The current streak for Whitecourt has them ranked 16th in the CJHL Top 20 rankings this week.
Sherwood Park, who received Honorable Mentions in this week’s rankings, continue their stellar play by obtaining 28 out of a Possible 30 Points in their last 15 games.
The Crusaders last lost in regulation on October 14th in Lloydminster, since then they have gone 13-0-2.
The most recent success came this past weekend while down south in Okotoks and Canmore.
Last Friday Sherwood Park rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Oilers 3-2 in Overtime. Cameron Brezinski scored his ninth of the season and his third Game Winning Goal in 2015-16.
The very next night the Crusaders were able to slow down one of the hottest teams in the AJHL, the Canmore Eagles. Two second period goals from Alex Rotundo and Tyler Maltby gave Sherwood Park a two goal lead heading into the final period, and were able to hold off the Eagles who managed to get one in the third but it was the Crusaders coming out on top 3-2.
All four goals allowed by the Crusaders last weekend were on the Penalty Kill, obviously something that needs to be tighten up however it’s been 143 minutes and 13 seconds since Sherwood Park has allowed an even strength goal.
Players to watch: For the Crusaders, it will be interesting to see who will get the nod in goal, will it be reigning AJHL Goaltender of The Week Zach Dyment, or does Zac Klassen return to the crease after picking up Friday’s 3-2 OT win…the top producing line for the Crusaders will look to continue their respective streaks, FWD Tyler Maltby has goals in five straight games, while FWD’s Cameron Brezinski and Ryan Kruper are riding five and three game point streaks…For the Wolverines, the Crusaders will need to contain FWD Justin Young, who is on a streak of his own, 12 games with Points, the Alaska commit has six goals and six assists in that span…FWD Eric Krienke has a five game point streak as well…FWD’s Erik Pedersen leads the team with 25 Assists and 29 Points, it will be another matchup of the league’s top goal scorers as Dondre Watson brings his 19 into the Sherwood Park Arena…in Goal the Crusaders could see a familiar foe in Tanner McCorriston, the Edmonton product is tied for second in the league in wins with 14.
-Story by Taylor Medak