Predators bounced in ‘B’ semi-final

For a team that had been together for only a week, the Fort Frances Predators more than held their own.
Thrown together at a moment’s notice for a chance to play in the Fort Frances K of C Knights PeeWee ‘AA’ hockey tournament here last weekend, the Predators (made up of ‘A’ players) finished with a 1-3-1 record, losing 3-1 to the Dryden Appollos in the ‘B’ semi-finals.
“All we had time for was about a 45-minute outdoor practice, just to go over some ‘X’s and ‘O’s,” said Predators’ coach Larry Beck. “For being thrown together just a week [earlier], I think the kids did okay.
“It was a great experience for those older ones who maybe won’t get to play ‘AA’ hockey,” added Beck. “And for the first-year ones, it gives them a look at what they might have a chance to do next year if they make the ‘AA’ team.”
The Predators looked all-world in their opener Friday morning, scoring five times in the first period en route to a 10-2 romp over the Sioux Lookout Hawks.
Cole Calder had a hat trick to lead the attack while Dustin Brown, Steve Romaniuk, Dave Chambers, Matt Goldamer, Rob Ellis, Michael Jourdain, and Shane Beck added singles.
Nelson Rosiak and Alex Beaulne countered for the Hawks.
Fort Frances then played a nail-biter against the West End Bruins (Thunder Bay), with Brown tallying in the third period to pull out a 2-2 tie.
Chris Cousineau had the other Predators’ goal while Cody Fraser and David Herringer scored for the Bruins.
Tight checking was the name of the game in the Predators’ third outing as they were blanked 2-0 by the Elks 82s (Thunder Bay). Elks’ captain Brett Biasiol and Josh Daniels netted the goals.
Then the Kenora Thistles, who went on to reach the ‘A’ final, handed the Predators their only lopsided loss of the tournament, skating away with a 6-1 victory.
Carson Dubchuk tallied a hat trick, Jon Sinclair scored twice, and Liam Chisholm added a single. Brendan Cawston had the lone goal for Fort Frances.
The Appollos managed two second-period markers by Kevin Degagne and Jamie Huckell to rally after Jourdain’s first-period tally had put the Predators in front.
Cam Hoedl clinched the win with an empty-net goal late in regulation time.