CANMORE – When a hockey team is fighting for wins and losses on a nightly basis, Andreai Proctor-Ramirez knows whoever is playing best in net, keeps playing.
It’s why the struggling Canmore Eagles’ goaltender has had a reduced role nearly one-third of the way into the AJHL season following an all-star campaign last year when he was the No. 1 option.
But despite a rough, two-win in eight games start, here was Proctor-Ramirez on Sunday (Oct. 30) playing big and confidently in his best – and most needed – victory so far.
“The guys held everything to the outside and really didn’t let a whole bunch in and made my job really easy,” he said. “It was great getting this win off my shaky start to the season and this game means a lot.”
Proctor-Ramirez (3-5-1) kicked aside 22 shots in the 5-1 home victory over the Lloydminster Bobcats, earning season bests in save percentage (.957) and goals against average (1.00).
At the end of regulation Canmore takes the win over the Lloydminster Bobcats 5-1. The shots are 37-22 favouring the Eagles. pic.twitter.com/8aYXQSRFPo
— Canmore Eagles (@canmoreeagles) October 30, 2022
In seven of Proctor-Ramirez’s nine starts, the Eagles have given up the first goal of the game, but working with a comfortable lead early, the native of Lloydminster said he felt pretty relaxed against his hometown club. Late in the third, the Bobcats spoiled Proctor-Ramirez's perfect night.
The 20-year-old goalie has been trading starts with Matthew Malin (6-1-1), who has played well to start the year with a .912 save percentage and 3.00 goals against average.
“For him to battle and relinquish a couple games to Malin I think that speaks to the character of the kid, and to come in and compete the way he did tonight, for him,” said Andrew Milne, Eagles head coach and general manager.
“He needed to have a good game just for himself – not just for our hockey club – but himself; he just lost a little bit of swagger and he got it back tonight.”
Proctor-Ramirez said it was a relief to have a strong outing, but picking up two points was all that really matters.
“It’s only my third win of the season and it was not the start I wanted,” he said. “Hopefully we keep this up and I can keep pucks out of the net, so we’ll see if I can get a few more under my belt.”
Winning against the Bobcats, and, two days prior, the Calgary Canucks – when actor Jon Hamm was in attendance – marked the Eagles (9-6-1-2) first time winning two consecutive games this season.
The club’s power play units were clicking over the two game span, scoring seven goals (43 per cent efficiency), which bumped the season’s power play percentage up to 18.1 per cent – sixth best in the league.
It’s been a major difference from last season when the Eagles were consistently in the basement for power play scoring.
“We worked at it and I knew it was going to come,” said Milne. “We got the skill set to do it and the right guys and it was just a matter of getting some chemistry … and we’re starting to understand where we need to be on the ice.”
One Eagle at the forefront of the club’s offensive field day was Kayden Smith, who won the AJHL player of the week (Oct. 24-30) for the first time.
In three games, Smith has scored five goals and 10 points, which included his first hat trick in the AJHL. He even received an autographed hat from Jon Hamm.
"I thought it was going to go to my captain, Vinny Scott (winning); he put up some pretty good numbers too, but either way, I'm pretty happy," said Smith.
"We had a pretty busy October month. We won seven games out of 12, I think we're heading in the right direction."
As of Wednesday (Nov. 2), Smith is in the top 10 of scoring in the AJHL.
The Eagles are halfway through a six-game home stand, which resumes Friday (Nov. 4) against the Spruce Grove Saints at 7 p.m.
The next night, the Bonnyville Pontiacs are in town. Puck drop is 7 p.m.
