Sun Devils earn first win
Special teams shine in Sun Devils’ first win of the year
The power play made the difference on the scoreboard, but the penalty kill sealed the deal in the Medicine Hat Sun Devils’ 10-8 win over the Strathmore Venom Sunday at the Moose Recreation Centre.
The Sun Devils went 10-for-13 on the kill to help lock up their first win of the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League Tier 2 junior B season. But the shorthanded effort reached a pinnacle late in the third, when Keenan Wilson and Tanner Dynes drew back-to-back calls to flip a 5-on-3 into their favour.
“We’ve focused a lot on defensive structure and this was probably our best outing defensively,” said Sun Devils head coach Chris Loran. “I’m very happy with how things transpired.”
After dropping their first two games of the regular season — 16-9 to the Lethbridge ’Cudas last week and 12-3 to the High River Heat in Saturday’s home opener — the Devils found their window by breaking open a 2-2 tie on a four-minute two-man advantage. A pair of high sticking calls and a roughing major paved the way to Aidan McLean’s go-ahead goal, giving the Sun Devils a lead they didn’t give up.
“The power play was key, for sure,” said Loran. “In any lacrosse game we’re relying on the specialty teams to make an impact in the game.”
Medicine Hat rallied for seven more goals for 10 from eight players, with Wilson and McLean both notching a pair.
While the Venom mounted a strong pushback effort in the third, their momentum died on the power play.
The Sun Devils used the shot clock to its maximum while down a man, occupying time in the offensive zone and staving off some heavy checks to chew some valuable time.
“Once we’re up it’s easier to burn time and use our full 30 seconds to kill the game off,” said Wilson. “We’ve got a lot of young kids on the team so it’s good for them to learn stuff like this.
“It’s good that our power play is clicking too. That’s usually what the Sun Devils are known for.”
Wilson added he hoped to play the season alongside his brother Zack, but an injury sidelined the standout forward for the season. “He tore his ACL this year, so he’s off getting surgery and he’s not going to be playing this year — but he’s only a fourth year so he’s got one year left,” said Wilson. “Being a fifth year I wish I got to play my last season with my brother but he’ll be back next year.”
Sun Devils goaltender Nate Thomas helped secure the victory with a 43save performance between the pipes, while Strathmore’s Riley Burkeholder turned aside 42 in his team’s seasonopening loss.
“Big night for Nate,” said Loran. “He stood on his head and definitely kept us in the game.”
Devils drum up donations
The Sun Devils did their raised a lacrosse net full of food in their season-opening homestand by offering entry in exchange for donations to the Medicine Hat Food Bank.
The Sun Devils return to action Saturday against the Sylvan Lake Yetti at The Arena.