The Canmore Eagles dropped back-to-back games against the Camrose Kodiaks to open the Alberta Junior Hockey League season last weekend.
Camrose downed the Eagles 5-1 and 3-0 on subsequent nights, Friday and Saturday (Sept. 9-10), as the Canmore squad continues to gel.
“I thought we were nervous, but got better with every period,” coach Andrew Milne said.
Veteran Steven Phee scored the lone Eagles goal on the weekend.
Camrose is typically one of the elite teams in the league, however, they appear vulnerable this year after losing many players from last year. However, that doesn’t seem to have slowed down the team’s aggressive forecheck.
“Historically, they’re an elite team. We wanted to see how quickly our guys reacted. Our guys got better under pressure,” Milne said.
The pair of losses emphasized the team’s need to work on ‘systems’, Milne said, to improve the powerplay and penalty kill. Many veterans such as Davis Claffey and Riley Point are rounding into game shape, said Milne, while Riley Reinbolt appears to pose a greater offensive threat this year.
After an away game Friday (Sept. 16) in Olds, the Eagles’ attention will turn to the home opener Saturday (Sept. 17) at 7 p.m. at Alex Kaleta Arena against the Spruce Grove Saints. Milne said the team will be in tough against the AJHL champs, but the game should be a measuring stick for many of the young players.
“They’re the champions, so we’ll have our hands full. It’s a good test and we want to see early who has the jam.”
He thinks this year’s edition of the Eagles will be competitive, but need to work on their quickness and decision-making skills.
The crippling spectre of injuries didn’t take long to haunt the Eagles this season. Veteran Zack Rassell, who’s expected to be the team’s top line centre, missed both games with an injured knee, while Trey Phillips was injured five minutes into the first game of the season. Canmorite Luke Simpson was also shelved with a charley horse. Rassell and Simpson are expected to return for Saturday’s home opener.
Milne was also impressed with the four Canmorites on the roster. Although John Stevens is battling illness and Simpson is a question mark for Saturday, Simon Philp and Jeremy Gordon should be in the lineup.
“Simon played well Saturday night. He established himself and gave it a good shot,” Milne said. “Jeremy Gordon also played really well. He plays a consistent, simple game.”
The Eagles also have three players taking part in the Junior A Team Canada West training camp in Canmore. Nik Kosman, Connor Hoekstra and Keegan Thompson will all compete for a spot with the best junior A players in Western Canada.
“It’s a good opportunity to measure themselves against the best players in the west,” Milne said, who is an assistant coach with the team.
“We think it’s a good experience and hope they can learn from it.”
The team has revamped its home game experience and has hired Rob Murray of Mountain FM to M.C. several of the games. Calgary Flames announcer Alan Beasley will call out the goals for the Eagles’ home opener.
