ST. PAUL – The St. Paul Jr. B Canadiens are gearing up for the upcoming hockey season, ending the pre-season on a positive note.
On Sept. 21, the Canadiens completed their last exhibition match against the Vegreville Rangers of the North Eastern Alberta Jr. B Hockey League (NEAJBHL) at the Clancy Richard Arena.
The first period ended in a 3-3 tie, but the Canadiens widened the gap by the end of the second period by two points.
During the last period, the Rangers secured a goal, but the Canadiens also found the net numerous times to end the game with an 11-4 victory.
“The last two pre-season games have been kind of sloppy,” as players are getting back into the game, says Corey deMoissac, head coach of the Canadiens.
It’s also a young team this year, according to the coach, with only five veterans on the roster. The team also has a few injuries and suspensions to deal with, but the coach remains confident as the start of the regular season nears.
“Our main goal is always to try and win it all,” he says,
Rylan Cardinal, captain of the team, agrees.
“We’re super young, but it’s good though.” Young players, he says, are often very motivated to improve and show their potential and capabilities, which involves jumping to the Junior B level.
“It’s a good place to do it, right?” says Cardinal. And that motivation could prove to be a boon for the team, adds the captain.
For the most part, the team’s newer players show promise and are already showing some camaraderie, he says.
“We’re all looking out for each other,” says Cardinal. “We got guys from northwestern Alberta, guys that are local . . . and they’re all looking really good.”
With the season opener just around the corner, Cardinal says the team is coming back to avenge last season’s defeat in the second round of NEAJBHL playoffs.
“A lot of us that are coming back are pissed off with the way we went out [last year],” admits Cardinal. The players are excited to be back on the ice.
The Canadiens will be playing away against the Wainwright Bisons this Friday for the season opener, before hitting the road to Lloydminster on Saturday to play the Bandits.
