Midget AA Blues qualify for provincial tournament

The high-flying midget AA Stettler Legion Blues have punched their ticket to the provincial championship next month in Rocky Mountain House.

It was a busy week for the Blues as they juggled provincial playdowns with league action in the North Central Minor Hockey Association.

Last Tuesday, the Blues faced off against Castor in Stettler. With four members of the Blues from Castor, this game meant a little something special to both clubs.

Kelly Coppock got the Blues on the board early in the first with a goal assisted by fellow Castor residents Mike Neumeier and Steve Fletcher. Braden Bowie made it 2 - 0 for Stettler. Then Castor responded with a power play marker from Benson Van Hienen to put Castor within one. The score remain 2-1 after the first.

The second period saw Castor even up the score, as Trey Zimmer put one past Stettler netminder Mack Schell. In the dying seconds of the second period, Bowie put the home squad back in the lead with his second of the evening.

The third period saw Stettler increase the lead, with Coppock notching his second, and Neumeier rounding out the scoring on the night with Stettler’s fifth of the evening. The final score rang in at 5-2 for Stettler.

“It was a tough game for our guys,” said Blues coach Scott Schell. “We struggled to maintain our composure (highlighted by the fact that Stettler took 18 minutes in penalties). We gave them too many chances to even the score with their power play (Castor was 1-9 on the night), but on the positive, we got lots of work on the PK.”

“And give Castor lots of credit — they came to play. They’re a well-coached squad and their power play is very solid. They’ve got a good chance to do something in playoffs.”

On Saturday, the Blues headed to Sylvan Lake to take on the Lakers. Stettler controlled the game from the onset, with a slight hiccup in the first that saw the only goal for the home club going past Blues goalie Josh McCallum. The final score was 9-1, but it could have been much worse.

“We told the guys going into the third to play smart,” coach Schell said. “We didn’t need any more goals, so let’s make sure we keep ourselves out of trouble. Aside from a few altercations, the game went by without too many concerns.”

The victory put Stettler two points behind the division-leading Olds Mustangs, with one crucial matchup between the two squads remaining.

On Sunday, Stettler travelled to Camrose for their first-round provincial playdown for Zone 7. The first game was key in the Blues’ quest for a berth in the provincial tournament.

“The boys came out a bit slow, but soon got their legs under them and by the end of the first, the score was 4-0,” Schell said.

Stettler dominated the game throughout and the final ended 15-0. Neumeier benefitted from the offensive output, by collecting 9 points (six goals, three assists) on the 15 goals that were scored.

“He just had one of those nights where offensively he could do no wrong,” Schell said. “He cashed in some nice tips on the edge of the crease for the majority of his goals.”

“The team moved the puck real well, but honestly Camrose weren’t in our calibre. Hopefully, we won’t carryover any bad habits from this game to any others when it really matters.”

The Blues claimed the Zone 7 title and will head to the provincial tournament, set for March 16-18 at Rocky Mountain House.

Stettler has four games left in its regular season, and still has a chance to claim first place in the league.

“Unfortunately, we will have to claim our victories in enemy territory, as all the games will be played on the road,” Schell said.

This upcoming week, the Blues go up against Kneehill in Three Hills on Thursday night, and then face Rocky Mountain House on Saturday.