Jasper takes both games in weekend double header

The Jasper Wolves defeated the Drayton Valley Wildcats in both games of a weekend double header, putting them at a strong 4-1 start to the 2008-09 North Central Hockey League season.

Saturday night, the Wolves started off strong with Seth Carlyle scoring the only goal of the first period. Eight seconds into period two the Wildcats tied it up and it was back and forth until the Wolves surged ahead reeling three goals in a minute and a half near the end of the second period putting them far in the lead.

The night’s final score was 5-3. Chuck Barker scored his first and second goals of the season Saturday night, Seth Carlyle scored his fourth and Rob Olson was up to his seventh goal of the season. 

The Wolves aimed for fewer penalties after racking up 32 minutes in their Oct. 25 game against Slave Lake. “That’s the main reason we won tonight’s game,” said captain Alex Derksen Saturday night.  “And once we had the lead we felt confident we wouldn’t let them back in the game.”

The team only saw three penalties until near the end of the second period when the gloves came off and Jake Derksen got five minutes for fighting and 10 minutes for game misconduct in a brawl against Drayton’s Mike Nelson.

Sunday afternoon the teams met for a rematch. The Wolves dominated at the outset with a five-shot, 2-point lead halfway into the first period, but the Wildcats quickly caught up. It was a high-scoring, edge-of-your seat back and forth game with Drayton Valley ahead halfway through the third period.

The teams were tied with seven goals each until Joey Hill scored in the last five minutes of the game. Ryan Wilkes scored four goals Sunday, Seth Carlyle put in three and Taylor Van Tighem scored his second and third goals in what coach Soc Korogonas called a break-out game for him.

Jasper’s outlook for the season is good, according to Korogonas. “We look strong, I don’t think there’s any team we can’t skate with,” he said. “What we want to do is put on a good show and get some fans in the seats,” Korogonas said. The next home game for the Wolves is Nov. 21 at 8:30 p.m., for a rematch against the Edson Ice, the only team to defeat Jasper so far this season.