Welcome to Game 71 of the SMJHL season, where we have the Lethbridge Lions taking on the Colorado Raptors. These two sides have already faced each other twice earlier on in the season, the first being a 3-2 victory by the Raptors on opening day and the second game was taken by the Lethbridge Lions by a score of 4-2. Coming into the game, the Lethbridge Lions have a record of 7-7 and the Colorado Raptors are 3-8-2. Can the Raptors snap their three game losing streak or can the Lions get to over .500? Stay tuned for some SMJHL action.

Cant Eykhil - Eva Lykke Aparjode - Jules L'Eclair  

Knute Knurtsson - Julio Tokolosh - Nick Brain  

Just two seconds into the game, we have a penalty as Nick Brain is sent to the box after a big hit to Donny McMasters. Lethbridge are unable to get anything going as the Raptors were able to dump the puck multiple times. It looks as thought the Lions didn't appreciate the roughing penalty to open up the game as Tah Puhcheese is sent off 32 seconds after the end of the Brain penalty for cross-checking. It looks as thought we are in for a feisty game right off the start. A Nick Brain shot off the post is as close as the Raptors get to opening up the scoring on the power play. Joln DuBolk is the next victim of the penalty box as he gets called for hooking on Jules Watt at the 7 minute mark. However, the Raptors cannot capitalize with the extra man. A Nick Novak interception in the Lions offensive zone sees the puck back on his stick after a big rebound off a Teddy Nuggets snap shot and Novak makes no mistake as he slides it past the outstretched Harry Carpet. The Lions penalty kill is once again out there as Cant Euykhil is sent to the box for hooking Akashi SixNine, but stay strong and keep the deficit to one goal. As the period is about to come to a close, the Lions receive their fourth penalty of the period and it goes to Dickens Makeout-King for a high stick. As the Raptors send out their first unit, it only takes them 10 seconds to find the back of the net. A big face-off win by Knute Knurtsson gives Tokolosh the chance to set Nick Brain up for a one-timer as he blasts it over Carpet's shoulder to make it 2-0 Colorado. That's not the way the Lions wanted to end the first.

Goal Recap:

Colorado Raptors , Nick Novak 1 (Teddy Nuggets 2) at 12:46

Colorado Raptors , Nick Brain 4 (Julio Tokolosh 4, Knute Knurtsson 5) at 19:37 (PP)

Whatever was said in the locker room seems to have worked for the Lions. Austin Roenick and Monkey D. Luffy are able to work a great play in the Raptors offensive zone and find an unmarked Donny McMasters in the high slot who snaps it through a screen of players in front off the net and beats Ushakov blocker side. The goal 20 seconds in cuts the lead to half. A holding penalty to Ja'Aj Coitus-Wagg gives the Lions a chance to tie the game up on the power play, but Yuri Ushakov stands strong and keeps his side ahead. After some great action by both teams, Jay Boom'Boom is sent to the box for interference. After a great cycling play, the Raptors second power play unit are able to capitalize as Vanderberg spots Smonk on the left circle who dishes a sweet saucer pass to Jake Peralta in the slot and he tucks it under Carpet's glove to give the Raptors a 3-1 lead. And it looks like the Lions have had enough of Harry Carpet and replace him with Patrice Nadeau for the remainder of the game. The Raptors are looking to extend their lead and it's their first line who moves the puck into the Lions zone and off a missed shot by Knute Knurtsson, Nick Brain takes a wrist shot from the point that it tipped in front by Knurtsson, which squeaks its way through Nadeau's pads and gives the Raptors a 4-1 lead. From bad to worse for the Lions as Donny McMasters and Sami Karppa are given penalties for hooking and that's 7 penalties for the Lions in 2 periods, they need to be more disciplined if they want to come back in this game. The Lions are able to kill the two penalties thanks to a few big saves from Nadeau. With just a couple of seconds left in the second period, it is the Colorado Raptors back on the attack after a missed shot by Juulius Smonk, Calogero Crudelli is able to find the loses puck and slot it home to extend Raptors lead to 5-1.

Goal Recap:

Lethbridge Lions , Donny McMasters 3 (Monkey D. Luffy 4, Austin Roenick 5) at 0:20

Colorado Raptors , Jake Peralta 1 (Juulius Smonk 4, Eric Vanderberg 6) at 7:54 (PP)

Colorado Raptors , Knute Knurtsson 4 (Nick Brain 7, Julio Tokolosh 5) at 11:39

Colorado Raptors , Calogero Crudelli 4 (Juulius Smonk 5, Jake Peralta 7) at 19:52

Goal Recap:

Lethbridge Lions , Monkey D. Luffy 4 (Mister McCarty 1, Dinars Briedis 4) at 6:14

Lethbridge Lions , Arsene Arsenich 4 (Gordon Bombay 3) at 14:54

Three Stars
1 - Knute Knurtsson   (1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points, +1, 3 shots, 2 hits, FO: 9/26, TOI: 20:18)
2 - Nick Brain   (1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points, +1, 5 shots, 5 hits, PIM: 2, TOI: 19:28)
3 - Julio Tokolosh   (0 goals, 2 assists, 2 points, +2, 2 hits, TOI: 20:26)

Game Facts:

PP: 0/3 (0%) | PK: 6/8 (75%) | FOW: 44 | Hits: 18 | Blocked Shots: 6 | PIMs: 16

PP: 2/8 (25%) | PK: 3/3 (100%) | FOW: 31 | Hits: 26 | Blocked Shots: 6 | PIMs: 6