Wolves 3 Canucks 2

DAWSON CREEK, BC -- It was a sight all too familiar Saturday night as the Dawson Creek Jr. Canucks gave up another multi-goal lead in the final half of the game.

Slave Lake drove into Dawson Creek with just 11 players on the roster, much the same as the Canucks did last weekend.

The Canucks came out hard in the first and on an early power play Lorne Weaver (5) opened the scoring. The goal 57 seconds in was set up by Jason Higson and John Howes. Another power play just past the midway point from Lucas MacKenzie (5) would give the home side a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes.

The Wolves cut into the lead midway through the second period on the power play. Tylor Couch deflected a Colter Tkach point shot past Canucks' goaltender Cody Garnett to make the game 2-1. Less than five minutes later Alexander MacIsaac tied the game at 2 after capitalizing on a defensive zone turnover by the Canucks.

It just wasn't the Canucks' night as they had plenty of scoring chances in the third but at the 9:16 mark we had our Safeway turning point. Tyson Price found Chad Paulsen in the slot and the Wolves' defenceman put a quick shot upstairs to give the visitors the lead.

Down 3-2 with 2:23 to play, Canucks' forward John Howes put a shot from the slot off the cross-bar and out of play. It was a close as the Canucks would come as Slave Lake would hold on for the 3-2 win.

Defenceman Tyson Stefanyk left the game after the 1st period and did not return.

Dawson Creek went 2 for 6 on the power play and the penalty kill was successful 10 of 11 times.

Brass Scissors three stars: 1) Alexander MacIsaac 2) Lucas MacKenzie 3) Travis Chartier. Hardest working Canuck: Justin McLeod.

With the loss the Canucks fail to gain any ground on the 2nd place Fort St John Huskies who lost 3-1 Saturday night in Whitecourt.

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I won't be checking in anytime tomorrow, it's Super Bowl Sunday. I'm pulling for the Cards.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

dd