Whoever said said “half a loaf is better than none” was certainly not fighting for playoff position in the ultra competitve AJHL North Division. Grande Prairie Storm taking away one point from a 3-2 shoot out loss in Drumheller Saturday night…but not getting two points from the contest drops the Storm in the standings.
Storm looked like they had a good shot at claiming the victory when Ryan Matthews scored with just under five minutes left to play, snapping a 1-1 tie. However, the Dragons would tie things up two minutes later, sending the game into extra time.
After a scoreless five minutes of four-on-four action, the game went to a shootout. Curtis Skip, who was the Storm player of the game, stopped the first three Dragons shooters but was beaten by the fourth. None of the four Grande Prairie snipers could bury one, resulting in the loss.
Gus Correale had the other goal for the Storm, just 13 seconds into the middle frame. That tied the game after the Dragons opened the scoring in the first.
Spruce Grove and Bonnyville both won on Saturday, so the first place Saints are now three points ahead of the Storm and the Pontiacs move one in front. Looking behind them, Fort McMurray is only one point in arrears and Whitecourt two back.
The good news for the Storm is that they play five of their last seven games at home, where they have been a lot stronger most of the time. The Oil Barons come calling next Saturday and Sunday. Then, the following Tuesday, it's the Drayton Valley Thunder making their way to the Canada Games Arena.
– Story supplied by Don Whiteford of www.PeaceCountrySports.com