Christmas is the time for the unexplained. The Grinch’s heart softened, Little Ralphie got his BB gun and the Canmore Eagles moved out of last place in the AJHL.
The Eagles snapped a 13-game losing streak with back-to-back wins over the Grande Prairie Storm and Olds Grizzlys Wednesday (Dec. 19) and Thursday (Dec. 20).
“It was kind of a warrior night for our group,” said head coach Andrew Milne, with a look of relief on his face. “A month ago we would have lost those two games.”
Cam Barnes was the hero on Wednesday against the Storm, stopping 27 shots on the way to his first shutout of the season. It was the first shutout by an Eagles goaltender since 2010.
“Cam needed that. He’s been through a lot and hasn’t said boo and he’s the first guy on the ice working on it the next day,” Milne said. “If Cam plays for us as a 20-year-old, which I don’t think he will, he’ll have played 150 games, which is huge for a goalie.”
Trey Phillips had a goal and an assist to lead the Eagles’ attack. Connor Wilson and affiliate player Colton Sandboe picked up the other goals.
Steven Phee scored the winner against Olds on Thursday, cashing in on a perfect feed from Wilson at the side of the net at the 16-minute mark of the third period. Jeremy Margeson scored the insurance marker into an empty net. Zack Rassell and Bryan Arneson scored in the second half of the first period.
“We needed a win tonight to feel good over the Christmas break,” said Phee. “We finally dressed a full lineup and everyone battled out there.”
John Stevens played hurt after Ciaron Driscoll and Mattia Bortolotto went down with injuries against Olds, but Milne said in the new year, players will be fighting for ice time.
“It’s like a new season. I told the guys you’ll be fighting for ice time as opposed to now where we’re giving it to everybody,” Milne said.
The Eagles (12-19-5) snuck ahead of the Calgary Canucks (13-24-1) with the win, and are five points behind Olds for sixth in the division with three games in hand. They’re off for the next week, play the Canucks on the road on Jan. 3 and are back at home on Jan. 5 to host Olds again.
