Lesleigh Campbell | Special to the Fitzhugh
After a tough 7-5 loss to the Whitecourt Wolverines one week prior, the Jasper Bearcats hosted the CR Knights this past Sunday.
The Bearcats came out expecting an easy win against the Knights, as after all, back in December, they had blown them out 13-1. But Jasper was in for a surprise as CR scored two goals less than five minutes into the first period. It didn't take long for Jasper to tie it up though when first Jackson Irwin found the back of the net, followed by Carson Campbell. However, determined to keep the Bearcats on their toes, the Knights got one more before the end of the first period, putting them up 3-2.
The second period was a different story entirely. Irwin came out and scored back to back goals, completing his hat-trick and getting Jasper ahead for the first time all game. Assists going to Drew Kovacs, Casey Peel and Campbell. Kovacs then found the back of the net, helped out by Campbell and Irwin. And to finish off the period, Austin Schmidt deked his way through CR's defense to find Joshua Doyle for a beauty one timer. Jasper had a 6-3 lead after 40 minutes.
The Knights began the third period with some deja-vu. They scored two goals just over five Minutes in, and you could feel the intensity in the air. Bode Hofhuis then passed the puck to Campbell, who brought it around behind the net and tucked it into the corner for goal number seven. CR then took advantage of a power play and got their sixth goal with nine minutes remaining in the game. Anyone who had watched the previous match between these two teams would not have believed what they were seeing. It was such an evenly matched game, which made it a great game to watch. The shots were even 50-52. The game ended on a high note when 17 seconds before the buzzer, Kovacs netted one more, assisted by Campbell and Irwin, and the Bearcats walked away with an 8-6 win.
The home games continue. This weekend the Bearcats will host the Edson Sabres on Saturday at 12:30 p.m., followed by the Hinton Havoc on Sunday at 3:15 p.m. Come on down, enjoy the entertainment, and while you're at it, grab some lunch at Glenda's.
