ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS
A6 | SPORTS | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020
Huskies split season opener, plenty of room to improve Dillon Giancola sports@ahnfsj.ca
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Raymond Dick fights to get around his man during a dump-and-chase in the Huskies 5-2 win over the Junior Canucks on November 13, 2020.
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Dean Whitcomb goes to work behind the Dawson Creek net during Fort St. John’s opening night win on November 13, 2020. Whitcomb had a goal in the game.
The Fort St. John Huskies finally played their first games of the regular season last weekend, and on the scoreboard at least, they got off to a good start. They opened things up with a 5-2 win over the Canucks on home ice on Nov. 13. It was the fourth time the Huskies have played the Canucks this year (they won all three exhibition games), but though the margin of victory was the best it’s been in the last three games, it was the most competitive the Canucks have been this year, tying the high-flying Fort St. John team for shots on goal with 36. “It was OK to get the win, but I expected a lot more from us tonight,” said Huskies Head Coach Todd Alexander. “I did not like our energy at all, we started off slow and were pretty sloppy.” Still, the Huskies played well enough to take a 5-1 lead into the first period, before taking their foot off the gas in the final 20 minutes. Goalie Tyler McArthur was solid in net all night, especially in the third period, where he stopped 12 of the 13 shots he faced. The Huskies other star on the night was Aiden Craig-Steele, with three points. While he is glad the team pulled off the win, he knows they have a long way to grow as a team. “We’re still learning and working on a lot, but we got the win and that’s what matters,” said Craig Steele. The Canucks responded with a 5-4 win of their own over Fort St. John on Nov. 14 in Dawson Creek. The two games last weekend between the Huskies and Canucks were definitely regular season
games, though it remains to be seen exactly what lies in store for the rest of the NWJHL’s 2020-21 season. The Huskies and Canucks play two more games this weekend against each other — Nov. 20 and 21 — before taking a two-week break to see who they’ll be able to play next. While the Alberta teams have generally had more flexibility this year and more teams to play against, new COVID-19 protocols put in place by the Alberta government has the County of Grande Prairie Kings unable to play as long as Grande Prairie remains elevated at “enhanced” status due to the virus. Although the North Peace Navigators and Sexsmith Flyers are playing four games against each other this month, the Fairview Flyers are waiting their turn to get some action. All this means that this year’s regular season is anything but. “You could definitely tell before the game it was a regular season one, but once you get out there and there’s no fans it’s still a bit weird,” said Craig-Steele. “I’m just happy we’re playing hockey, it’s better than doing nothing.” Alexander said all he and the team can do is focus on their next game. “Anytime we’re able to play we’ll go out there and try to get better. If they tell us we play tomorrow, we’ll be prepared to play tomorrow. If the next game is in two weeks, then we’ll be ready for then, that’s all we can control,” said Alexander. Going forward, Alexander wants to see the team clean its energy up, work on moving the puck through the neutral zone, and be better at catching passes so they can turn them into odd-man rushes and have cleaner breaks out of the defensive zone.
Senior Flyers optimistic about future if 2020-21 season lost Dillon Giancola sports@ahnfsj.ca North Peace Hockey League teams held a third conference call last Thursday night regarding the status of the 2020-21 season. Nothing new was reported for the Fort St. John Flyers and Dawson Creek Senior Canucks — cross border travel is still not permitted and the lack of revenue from ticket sales and sponsors will make playing a season a tough task. According to Flyers President Paul van Nostrand, who was present for the call, three of the Alberta teams are proposing to play a shortened season in a three-team cohort. Regardless of what happens, the league has told teams unable to play this year, or who take a pass on the season, that they will not need to go through the rules and procedures for joining the league as a new team would. While the Flyers await further word on the fate of the season, it’s hard not to wonder what missing a second-straight season would mean for the Flyers and the state of senior hockey in Fort St. John. The Flyers weren’t able to ice a team last year due to a lack of committed players. According to van Nostrand, the commitment is there this year. “Last year we had control of the situation, but not the players. This year we don’t have control of the situation,” said van Nostrand. The Flyers had a core group of players dedicated to reviving the team and ensuring there was enough people to play and attend practices and games. Among that core were mainstays Adam Horst, Travis
McLean, and Joey Massingham, as well as Robbie Sidhu and Ty Gullickson. Missing the 2019-20 season didn’t dampen the group’s interest and will to play. “I still have a love for the game. It’s always nice to still compete at a good level of play, and be with the guys around the rink and in the locker room,” Massingham said. “We had just the right amount of guys to come back. We all really want the Flyers to survive, but we have to see how covid affects it,” Massingham said, adding it may be hard to hold a shorter season at this point due to other commitments that guys may have made in the meantime. However, if the team isn’t able to play this year, Massingham doesn’t think that will affect the chances of the Flyers returning to the ice in 2021-22. “All that means is that there will be two more years of younger guys coming in with legs,” Massingham said about the prospect of missing a second-straight season. “There is still a lot of hockey talent in the community. Plus, most of us have been doing this for 25 years and haven’t found anything to take its place yet.” Van Nostrand is hopeful as well, and doesn’t plan on moving on from the Flyers. “I sincerely hope we’ll continue on regardless. I’m not planning to abandon the ship for some time yet,” said van Nostrand. “I’m hopeful by the time spring and summer come around in 2021 there will be a handle on things nationally. I’m very optimistic and my wish is that we’ll have a team for the 202122 season.”
ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020 | NEWS | A11
Hudson’s Hope RCMP Cpl. Rob Gardner salutes, Nov. 11, 2020. Above: Kristina Coombs places a wreath at the cenotaph in Hudson’s Hope, Nov. 11, 2020.
Left: John Vandenberg places a wreath at the cenotaph on behalf of the Hudson’s Hope Fire Department. Merv Goodwin was the only veteran in attendance at Remembrance Day services in Hudson’s Hope this year, Nov. 11, 2020.
TOM SUMMER PHOTOS
ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS
A12 | NEWS | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020
War vets remembered, first responders honoured Dillon Giancola sports@ahnfsj.ca Community leaders and first responders gathered at the Taylor hall last week to reflect on the ultimate cost of war, and honour the sacrifices of war veterans and first responders. This year’s ceremony was closed to the public due to the pandemic, and Mayor Rob Fraser acknowledged the district wasn’t able to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War as they would have liked. “This year marks the 75th anniversary of World War Two,” Fraser said. “This year is different — for the first time since Remembrance Day was initiated, the public is being discouraged from attending the ceremony personally.” Fraser encouraged people to visit the Taylor cenotaph to pay their respects and lay a wreath or poppy when there are fewer people around. Pastor Wally Pohlmann’s message focused on the importance of remembering the cost paid for Canadians to enjoy and live their lives as they do today. “Even in the midst of the little bit of chaos we’re in today, it’s important to not only remember our past, but also remember the cost of our freedoms at home, and around the world,” said Pohlmann. “We do not come together on this day to celebrate the wars, the engagements, the good or bad, right or wrong ... we come together to remember the men and woman who gave to their country and community, who gave their life for what they believe.” Pohlmann spoke about a local teacher whose student asked how many war vets were interred at Taylor cemeteries. The teacher and her class brought the question to the Peace Crossing Historical Society. After doing some research, it was determined that at least 14 veterans were
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A police officer lays a poppy at the cenotaph following the Remembrance Day services in Taylor, Nov. 11, 2020.
laid to rest at cemeteries in and around Taylor. Pohlmann said the Historical Society is trying to find the best way to mark their graves so families and community members can honour those who fought for their country. “To that teacher, to those students, I wish to say thank you for remembering,” said Pohlmann. “Thank you for the idea that came out of your questions of how many (war veterans) do we have, and where are these veterans interred for eternity,” said Pohlmann. The ceremony honoured not only war veterans, but first responders too, including members of the RCMP, Taylor Fire Rescue, and others, for putting their lives on the line every day. “I’m a traditionalist when it comes to remembrance day but this year has been very, very different. This year another battle is being fought with the men and women in our public health system — there may not be any bullets flying, but many of them are being placed in real danger to fight this coronavirus,” said Fraser, acknowledging
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Taylor Mayor Rob Fraser lays a wreath at the cenotaph, Nov. 11, 2020.
those who lost their lives at the start of the pandemic, when information about COVID-19 was still being discovered. “I would like to acknowledge their sacrifice this year, please give them space in your thoughts and prayers today,” he said.
Taylor Fire Captain Matt Edgar spoke on behalf of first responders, and shared memories of attending Remembrance Day ceremonies and parades with his grandparents. “We are not able to gather together as we normally would… but here we are, still
gathering in remembrance, whether in person or online,” Edgar said. “We all have the opportunity to reflect on what Remembrance Day means to us, and I encourage those of you that can to visit the cenotaph here in Taylor, to leave a poppy, to say a prayer, and say thank you.”
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Residents gather at the cenotaph in Fort St. John for Remembrance Day, Nov. 11, 2020.
Above: A police officer stands guard at the cenotaph in Fort St. John, Nov. 11, 2020. MATT PREPROST PHOTO
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The Northern Lights Youth Choir sings “Dona Nobis Pacem” during the Remembrance Day services in Taylor, Nov. 11, 2020.
Left: Taylor Fire Capt. Matt Edgar observes Remembrance Day services at the cenotaph, Nov. 11, 2020. DILLON GIANCOLA PHOTO