GAME 1 RECAP: A's pull away in the 3rd en route to win

13 8

Adanacs lead best-of-7 series 1-0

Coquitlam has struck first in the 2017 BCJALL Finals, using three unanswered 3rd period goals to pull away from their rival New Westminster Salmonbellies 13-8.

New West only found themselves down two goals heading into the 3rd period, 9-7, after a strong first 40 minutes. They were trading goals with the Adanacs and stepping up to them in terms of physicality as well. They even scored with three seconds left, presumably giving them momentum heading into the final frame.

The first 10 minutes of the third was tight checking and featured the second tilt of the game, this time between Steph Charbonneau and Dalton Lupul. That seemed to stem any momentum the Bellies would have; the Adanacs got three consecutive goals from Dennon Armstrong, Chase Scanlon and and Jared Pozzobon to put the game out of reach. 

Coquitlam's transition game was especially impressive tonight, as they got contributions from a number of defensive-minded players, including two-time BCJALL DPOY Reid Bowering. The back gate did their job for most of the night, which was don't allow Connor Robinson to be the guy that beats them. While Robinson had four points, he didn't seem to dominate the game as much as he would've liked to. But the focus on Robinson did open things up for others, including Larson Sundown who had three tallies in the loss. 

Top Goalie Erik Kratz will likely want to have a much better contest in Game 2, struggling en route to making 13 goals on 36 shots. Christian Del Bianco made 27 saves on 35 shots. 

Game 2 goes Monday, July 31 at 7:30 on the historic wood floor at Queens Park Arena. 

13  10 (OT)

Raiders lead the best-of-7 series 2-0

The Okotoks Raiders have gotten the jump on the Calgary Mountaineers in what seems to have been the blink of an eye. Within a 24 hour time span the Raiders left Max Bell Arena on Thursday night with a 2-0 series lead following a Game 2 that took overtime to decide.

Although Thursday night's affair was closer on the scoreboard than in the series opener, Game 2 played out much the same with the Raiders getting out and pushing the pace in transition. In doing so they successfully forced the Mounties out of their comfort zone and were able to gain several quality scoring chances on Calgary goaltender Brandon Humphrey. The likes of Mcintyre, Getz, and Kinnear have been exploiting the Mountaineer defense inside on off ball cuts as well as slipping underneath flat footed defenders. That inside game has been complemented well by Edmonton product Cam Wengreniuk's hammer of an outside shot that has helped space and open up the middle of the floor even more. His acquisition has been such a key because he provides the Raiders, a team built more on quickness and transition, with an element they didn't necessarily have before and a heavy shot from the left side.

However unlike in Game 1 where aside from a quick four goal run in the 2nd to tie the game 6-6 before once again falling behind and outplayed in the 3rd , the Mountaineers seemed to be playing with more urgency and heart in Game 2. The middle of the floor was not as easily accessible and the Raiders weren't getting the same quick looks in transition or off the bench. Offensively the Mounties were swinging the ball much more effectively and scored some gorgeous cross floor quick sticks on Kitchener native Kevin Orleman as they dug themselves out of another deficit. 

From the half way mark of the second on through the third period the Mountaineers really looked like the better team as they began playing ball control and limiting the Raiders looks in transition. University of North Carolina product and Mountaineer sniper Jordan Prysko got his shot dialed in and it seemed as though momentum had shifted after a Jake Foster power play marker midway through the third to give Calgary it's first lead since being up 1-0 just thirty seconds in. However the Raiders would answer back only a few minutes later to tie the game on a shot by Mcintyre that seemed to catch Humphrey off guard. 

From there it seemed as though the Raiders defense to regain their focus and keep the Mountaineers to the perimeter  the rest of the way. Even despite a late goal by the Mounties to send the game into overtime, it felt like the Raiders had regained control of the game. And in overtime they looked to be the fresher and more energized group tallying a couple times to really grab a hold of the game and series.

The Mountaineers have the offensive talent to vault back into this series but to do so they will need guys like Henning, Foster, Bot, and Bunio to be more active off ball and attempt to get inside the Raider defense instead of settling for mediocre looks from well out. They have shown that when they do get inside they can finish at a high rate but need to get there more often. Perhaps more importantly though the Calgary defense needs to step up and play with more intelligence and intensity. They need to avoid chasing and losing top side position against the smaller shifty Okotoks offense and instead take a page out of McBride's playbook...force the Raiders to beat them from the outside. Time will tell.

Alberta game report provided by @RoadtoMinto17.. keep checking the site for more updates on who may be coming out of Alberta in this year's Minto Cup!