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Lukas Jirousek was a physical force all night for the Storm.  Photo courtesy EverythingGP
By Jeff Henson
GP STORM

League leading Bandits humble Storm

Dec 14, 2019 | 9:22 AM

The Grande Prairie Storm returned to league action for the first time in almost two weeks on Friday night.

While the rest was surely appreciated, having to face the top team in all of Junior A hockey in Canada is a tall task at any point of the season, nevermind when an exhibition contest is the only game action your team has seen in 13 days.

The Brooks Bandits, who entered the night with a 31-1-1 record, made sure the game was over in a hurry.

Goals from James McIsaac, Chris Pappas, and Jakob Lee – all within the first five minutes of the opening period – helped to push the defending National champs to a 6-0 win over the Storm at Revolution Place.

The three goals came on just five shots against started Kaeden Lane, who was pulled after the third goal in exchange for Lars Kaliel.

“I did not like two of those three goals and the guys did not seem to be engaged and ready to go.” said coach Matt Keillor after the game. “But then after that for about a paeriod and a half, I felt we were really good.”

In fact, the Storm would actually out-shoot the Bandits 16-12 over the next 35 minutes, and would direct a total of 27 shots at Brooks’ netminder Pierce Charleson, who picked up his third shut out of the season.

Connor Ceulemans would make it 4-0 for the visitors 1:40 into the third, as his shot from behind the goal line would bank off of Kaliel and into the net.

From that point on, Keillor noticed a change in some of his players that did not impress him.

“I felt some guys got selfish after it hit 4-0 and kind of knew that the game was out of hand, so they just did whatever they could to collect a point.” said Keillor. “When you do that against a team like Brooks, they punish you right away, and before you knew it, it was 6-0.”

Marc-Antoine Benoit and Brayden Krieger also scored for Brooks while Trey Thomas had four assists.

Fortunately for the Storm, there is not a lot of time to lament the effort, as they return to action Saturday night against Lloydminster.

Keillor is looking for a much improved effort from his club.

“There are guys here that are healthy scratches that are wanting to get into the lineup every night. There will be lineup changes (Saturday) night, and especially with these last 5-6 games coming up//// they are important games.”

Saturday’s game is the annual Teddy Bear Toss night, with fans encouraged to bring a new teddy bear to the game, and then toss it onto the ice when the Storm score their first goal of the game.

The bears will then be collected and given to the local Hospital Foundation.

The first 200 fans in attendance will also have the chance to get a free teddy bear, and bears will also be available for sale at the game for five dollars.

Puck drop is 7:30.

by Jeff Henson