Emily Plihal
Smoky River Express
Falher Pirates skated to a victory last Thursday sending the team into the third round of the North Peace Hockey League (NPHL) playoffs.
Peace River Stampeders proved to be grand competitors in the best-of-five game series, pushing the quarter final series right to game five.
Game five was held in the Falher Regional Recreation Complex with a crowd of almost 700 fans cheering on the Pirates. Pirates enlisted two new players from Whitecourt for the game in Geoffry Chalifoux and Rod Lavoie.
Pirates came out flying, with a mission to get into the semi-final round of the NPHL playoffs.
Falher took every scoring opportunity, finishing the game with an 11 – 4 victory.
After the first period it was still anybody’s game, with the Pirates ahead by a score of 2 – 1. Pirates took four minor penalties in the first period, while Peace River was handed two.
In the second, the Pirates were determined to maximize their opportunity to play another series of hockey.
Only shooting 12 pucks on net in the second, the Pirates managed to capitalize on six of the opportunities.
A highlight of the game for fans was the second period intensity provided by Pirates forward Keith Reade. Two solid hits on Peace River players sent the crowd into cheering bliss, but resulted in a charging penalty to Reade.
Reade topped the scoring list with four goals and two assists. Other Pirates goals were scored by Darwin Payou, a set of goals by Rod Lavoie, two goals (including the game winner) by Steve Reade, Deric Meunier, and Michel Maisonneuve.
Falher out-shot the stamps 45 to 32 throughout the three periods.
Peace River managed to score one goal on seven power play opportunities, while the Pirates were shut out for three man-advantages.
Stampeders goals were scored by Nick Laporte, power play goal by Shawn Dickie, James Hogan, and Tyler Valin.
Pirates are the only east division team advancing into the semi-final round of the playoffs. Lakeland was eliminated last week by the Fort St. John Flyers. Flyers will be taking on Spirit River Rangers in the semi-finals.
Next up for the Pirates is semi-final playoff hockey against the Grande Prairie Athletics. Schedule was not released as of press time, please visit the Pirates website at www.falherpirates.com for semi-final playoff information.
