High scoring weekend - Jan 20 & 21

The Pioneers started the weekend heading to High Prairie to play the Redwings. The top ranked squad proved to be too much for the Pioneers but many lessons were learned from the game. 

Saturday Jan 21st had the Fox Creek Ice Kings visiting the Gibbons Arena. Despite a fairly even first in shots (13-12 in favour of Gibbons) and chances, the Ice Kings got out to a 2-0 lead after the first. Fans knew it was going to be a testy game with 24 mins for penalties handed out in the period. The second period again had the Pioneers leading in shots (25 to 12) and chances. After letting the Ice Kings get up 3-0 early in the second, newcomer Seth Williams got one back to give the Pioneers some hope. 35 seconds later, Fox creek struck again with yet another not 10 seconds after the puck drop at center ice. 

Coach Arsenault settled his team and fans were treated to some excellent play from the Pioneers halfway through the second. The line of Ethan Zago, Braden Kalin and Logan Burns was on fire as they got 3 of the 4 goals for the Pioneers in the second. Zago scored at 10:22, Kalin at 10:30 and Zago again on the PP at 19:54. Connor Kardash rounded out the scoring for the Pioneers from Duncan Gaunt. The high scoring second had the Ice Kings taking a 7-5 lead into the second intermission. 

St. Arnaud got the Pioneers within one early in the third period from new teammate Kaden Chamzuk. Unfortunately, the Pioneers couldn't complete the comeback and Fox Creek score three unanswered to take the game 10-6. Lots of pushing and shoving at the end of the game added fuel to the fire for the next match-up between the two teams which will be Friday, February 3rd in Fox Creek. You can catch the game as always on gmhl.tv.