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*Gwdjohnson* · 05-09-2019, 02:54 PM

This article series will be a sort of ‘recap’, a compilation of short descriptions of all 50 games (plus playoffs) that the Armada have played this SMJHL season, split into three parts. Without further ado, let’s board this ferry, and go on a cruise through the first half of Anchorage’s S47!

Preface:

A team that has existed for the entirety of the SMJHL’s history, the Anchorage Armada has been located in 3 different cities throughout their existence. First, they came into the league as the Firebirds, from Prince George, British Columbia. Following S17, they relocated to Regina, Saskatchewan, where they became the Regina Force. As the Force, they only lasted from seasons 18-24, before making a return to Prince George to bring back the firebirds. They stayed as the Firebirds from S25-41 before moving north to the cold tundra of Alaska, where they became the team we all know today, the Anchorage Armada. They have won 4 championships in their history, but none as the Armada. Before we get into how this season has been going for the Armada, let’s take a quick look at the previous season.

Last season (S46), the Armada came 4th in the regular season, posting a 26-21-3 record on the season. A pair of French Canadians, Olivier Cloutier and Maxime Bouchard, along with a talented center in Xena, led the way offensively, as they put up 38, 38, and 37 points respectively. Captain Leopold Lockhart was the backbone of the backline, as he notched 37 points in what would be his final season with the Ships. In the playoffs, they beat the Lethbridge Lions, who had the same record as them in the regular season, in a convincing 4-1 series win. In the semi-finals, however, they fell to the St. Louis Scarecrows, who were eventually crowned their 3rd straight four-star cup. Thus began a huge summer of rebuilding in Anchorage.

The Armada’s fleet was decreased in size like Germany’s after the Treaty of Versailles, as they lost beloved captain Lockhart to a call-up from the San Francisco Pride, as well as Bouchard, to his draft team the Calgary Dragons. The other players that they lost to the big fish were: Kenji Yoshimura (29 pts), Dean Colt III (26 pts), and Chuck Crutchfield (12 pts). Fortunately, the Tampa Bay Barracuda allowed Olivier Cloutier to remain in Anchorage, where he was promptly named captain almost unanimously. Xena was also permitted to remain, making her and Cloutier clear focal points for offence. Despite their long list of departures leaving the squad thin, the brass of the Armada got to work quickly to ensure that they could replace them the best they could. Signing 8 rookies (3 through the draft) to immediately integrate into the team, S47 is a season of transition for the Armada.

And that brings us up to date on the season. Now, without further ado, let us explore on a game-by-game basis how this season has gone for the young Armada, through the opening 25 games.

Recap of games 1-25: Armada

Game #1: Home vs Halifax: 5-2 W
Analysis: The opening game of the season showed much promise for the Armada. Despite being outshot heavily (43-28) by the Raiders, a 3-point debut from undrafted rookie Stavros Halkias saw the Ships pull off an impressive victory, by a 5-2 score line. Rookie winger Jonas Larsen had a couple debut helpers on both of Halkias’ goals, as well as a game-winning deflection past Halifax goalie Mike McKorsy. Peter Larson stood on his head in goal for Anchorage, stopping 41 out of 43 shots for a .953 save %. All in all, the Armada could not have asked for a better opening game. Record: 1-0-0 Link

Game #2: Away vs Kelowna: 3-4 L (SO)
Analysis: The second game, away to the Knights, was not so kind to the Boats. A loss following an 8-round shootout handed them their first defeat, although they did take a point from the game. Rookies were the talk of the game again for the Armada, as first rounder from last draft Joe Kerr put up his first goal and assist, while undrafted D-man Darnell Johnson put up his first two career assists. The Armada were outshot again, but this time Larson couldn’t put up another stellar performance, before Bryan Lee won the extra point for Kelowna with a goal on the 16th shot of the shootout. Record: 1-0-1 Link

Game #3: Home vs Halifax: 4-2 W
Analysis: Another Halifax visit to Alaska, another win for the Armada. For the first time in the season Anchorage dominated the shot department, outshooting the Raiders 30-23. Rather impressively, despite 4 goals being scored, only 4 players actually scored points in the game. Xena (1G, 3A) led the way, with an involvement in every goal, while Cloutier (1G, 1A), Tony Ford (2G) and Eko van Otter (1A) were the only other Boats on the scoresheet. Record: 2-0-1 Link

Game #4: Home vs Detroit: 6-4 W
Analysis: What a game of hockey! Anchorage maintain an unbeaten record at home, in a 10-goal thriller that saw them put 5 past Falcons goalie Jakub Hasek and one into an empty net. Rookies were on display once again, as defenseman Gabriel Johnson and the streaking Stavros Halkias each put up a goal and assist, while Kerr added another tally to his count. Johnny Sins was spreading his love to his teammates, providing 3 helpers from the back end, and Xena continued her good form by notching two goals of her own. This game was one that the Ships comprehensively controlled, as they nearly doubled the offensive output of the Falcons, notching 34 to Detroit’s 18. Larson didn’t enjoy his best game in goal, allowing 14 of those 18 shots, but he will be happy his team’s offence could compensate. Record: 3-0-1 Link

Game #5: Away vs Colorado: 4-2 W
Analysis: Anchorage continues their incredible start to the season, as they take the 2 points in Colorado. Van Otter was the first star of this one, as he notched his first two goals of the season with precise snap shots in the win. Cloutier, after surprisingly being held pointless in the Armada’s 6-goal outing last game, bounced back with a goal and assist, including the game winner, while Larson also had a good bounce-back game in goal, stopping 24/26 shots. Halkias added another assist to his count, while both of the Johnsons had a hand in goals. Very, very impressive first 5 for Anchorage. Record: 4-0-1 Link

Game #6: Away vs Detroit: 2-3 L (SO)
Analysis: After getting a win back home in Alaska against the Falcons, the Armada couldn’t do the same in Detroit. Despite heavily outshooting the most recent lottery winners 42-27 on the game, it was Detroit that came out on top in the shootout after an equal 65 minutes of hockey. Both Larson and Hasek put up great performances, in a stark contrast to the game in Anchorage. Armada lost their 3-game winning run, but through 6 games they still have earned at least a point every match. Record: 4-0-2 Link

Game #7: Away vs Halifax: 1-2 L
Analysis: After beating the Raiders twice in Anchorage earlier in the season, they could not do the same in Halifax, as the Boats were finally handed their first regulation loss. The Armada took 7 penalties in the match, a large contributor in their defeat. Their lone tally was a set play from a faceoff between Xena and Cloutier, leading to a goal for the French-Canadian. Two losses on the bounce for the Armada, who seem to be coming down to Earth now. Record: 4-1-2 Link

Game #8: Home vs Vancouver: 3-4 L
Analysis: After their stellar start to the campaign, the Armada appear to have hit a bit of a rough patch now, as that makes 3 winless games in a row for them now. Two rookies notched goals, as Larsen and G. Johnson both shot in their second tallies of the season, and Xena put in another solid performance, with a goal and an assist. Goaltending was not a strong point in this game, as Kasperi Braulin allowed 3 goals on 23 shots, and Larson managed to only save 12 out of 16. Record: 4-2-2 Link

Game #9: Away vs Colorado: 4-3 W (SO)
Analysis: The Ships have managed to set sail in the right direction, as they pulled off a win in Colorado to get themselves back on track. Xena and Cloutier combined for 2 points each, while Halkias ended a bit of a cold spell with a goal of his own. Just like in their last game against Colorado, shots were very even, as Anchorage marginally outshot the Raptors 27-24. In the shootout, it was Latvian winger Andris Dzerins who scored the decisive one-on-one attempt. Record: 5-2-2 Link

Game #10: Home vs Montreal: 0-2 L
Analysis: I actually covered this game in-depth on a PGS, Here! I will not do a rundown of this one because of that, so feel free to check it out! Smile

Well, Anchorage got shut out. Record: 5-3-2 Link

Game #11: Home vs Halifax: 4-2 W
Analysis: They really scheduled a lot of trips to Alaska for the Raiders in the early part of this season, huh? With the travel distance being a ludicrous 7 860 kilometers, no wonder they lost all 3 games in Anchorage. Aside from long distances, the stars of the game were Xena and van Otter, who each put up 3 points in the win. Halifax managed only 18 shots on the game, clearly worn down by the long flight. Anchorage won’t complain, but they’re out of home games against Halifax on the season, and have two of those long trips to make themselves to Halifax later on. Who thought this would be a good idea?? Record: 6-3-2 Link

Game #12: Away vs Lethbridge: 1-2 L (OT)
Analysis: 1 point was very favourable for the Armada against Lethbridge, as they were dominated by the Lions for most of the game, with the shots being 31-17. Both Larson and Lethbridge netminder Harry Carpet played very well in goal, only allowing 1 goal each through 60 minutes, but a snipe from Monkey Luffy in overtime left Anchorage with just a point to take home. Record: 6-3-3 Link

Game #13: Away vs Lethbridge (Again…?): 5-2 W
Analysis: A completely different story in Lethbridge from the one of last night’s game, as Anchorage bounced back to win assuredly over the Lions this time. Unlike last night, the shots were balanced evenly between the two sides (23-24), but the scoreline was not. Captain Cloutier was the star of the show, putting up 2 goals and 2 assists in the win, while the streaky van Otter had another multi-point game. Great performance by the Boats in contrast to last game. Record: 7-3-3 Link

Game #14: Home vs Anaheim: 4-3 W
Analysis: Despite the close scoreline, it would have been very surprising if this game had turned out with anything aside from an Armada victory. The Outlaws mustered a measly 16 shots over the whole game, although 3 of those found their way in. 10 different players scored points for Anchorage, with nobody having a multi-point game for them. Another huge win as the Armada continues to put up good results in this early stage of the season. Record: 8-3-3 Link

Game #15: Home vs Vancouver: 2-4 L
Analysis: Vancouver proved to be too good for the Armada yet again, as they take this game in Alaska 4-2. Anchorage got a positive out of the game in Darnell Johnson notching his first SMJHL goal, but it was otherwise just an unremarkable loss. Record: 8-4-3 Link

Game #16: Away vs Detroit: 4-0 W
Analysis: Peter Larson. 4 goals were scored by Anchorage, but it was Larson who stole the show in Detroit, putting up a 38-save shutout for the Armada, as well as an assist. The shots were 38 to 20 in favour of Detroit, but Jakub Hasek and Larson had contrasting performances, which led to the scoreline being exactly the opposite of what the shots would make one believe. Depth forward Aleksi Leskinen, who had 1 point all season going into this game, put up a 3-point performance to win second star behind Larson. Record: 9-4-3 Link

Game #17: Home vs Lethbridge: 1-2 L
Analysis: Lethbridge came out on top in Alaska to take a 2-1 lead in the season series. What this game lacked in goals, it made up for in drama. In the middle of the opening period, tempers flared as Xena instigated a fight with Eva Lykke Aparjode, earning her both 5 minutes and a game misconduct for the instigation. Both goalies put up great performances, with Larson putting up 30 saves on 32 shots, while Carpet stopped 21 of 22. In the end, Aparjode netted the winning goal, giving the winger the last laugh in the feud with Xena. Record: 9-5-3 Link

Game #18: Away vs Vancouver: 2-5 L
Analysis: Despite scoring the first two goals in Vancouver, the Armada came out on the losing end, as they allowed 5 unanswered goals for the Whalers for the game to finish 5-2. Stavros Halkias ended a barren run with his 5th goal of the season, and that goal was complemented by a first SMJHL point for Raphael d’Alcott, who got the primary assist on it. Whalers got exactly double the shots of Anchorage (36-18), and they generally looked like it would be their game from the moment they equalized. Record: 9-6-3 Link

Game #19: Home vs Montreal: 4-6 L
Analysis: This game is the second 6-4 score of the Armada’s season, but this time they are on the losing end of it. It was a day to forget for backup Colt Beckett, as he posted a .739 save% on the game, allowing 6 goals on 23 shots. For Montreal, Commander Shepard and Kristoffer Svensson had remarkable games, with the former notching 4 goals, while the latter picked up 5 assists. This game makes it 3 regulation losses on the bounce for the struggling Armada. Record: 9-7-3 Link

Game #20: Away vs St. Louis: 4-5 L
Analysis: It took 19 games before the Armada would get a rematch against the team that eliminated them in the S46 playoffs, defending champions St. Louis Scarecrows, but revenge was not on the cards today. St. Louis got Peter Larson pulled after scoring 4 goals on 14 shots, and although Beckett came in and put in a stellar performance, saving all 17 shots on him, it was not meant to be for the Ships. The losses keep piling up for Anchorage, who have 0 points from the last 4 now. Record: 9-8-3 Link

Game #21: Away vs St. Louis: 2-4 L
Analysis: The surging Scarecrows proved to once again be too hot to handle for the Armada, as they fall again in St. Louis. Managing a pitiful 12 shots over the entire game, the Boats were very much overwhelmed on the day. In the second period, things got very intense and heated, with 10 total penalties being given within the 20 minutes. Despite a goal from Halkias, and 2 assists from Kerr, the rookie core could not keep up with the force of St. Louis once again, extending their losing streak to 5 games now. Record: 9-9-3 Link

Game #22: Away vs Montreal: 1-3 L
Analysis: Another poor display offensively from Anchorage sees them drop to a below .500 record for the first time this season, as they could only muster 15 shots this time around. Shepard and Svensson were once again the main thorns in the Anchorage backside, as they both put up multi-point games, while Aleksi O’Koivu-Volkova saved 14 out of 15 shots for the Militia. The young Armada are not playing like a team full of confidence, and definitely need to figure something out if they’re going to get back to winning ways. Record: 9-10-3 Link

Game #23: Home vs Colorado: 5-2 W
Analysis: Finally the Armada snap their horrid losing streak, as they convincingly last place Colorado to bring themselves back up to a .500 record. Cloutier put up 2 goals in the win, while Brock Emmerton and Kalevi Karhunen chipped in with two helpers. Alexander Thorstrom was pulled by the Raptors after allowing 4 goals on 11 shots, and even though Colorado have been very poor this season, it was a good performance from the Ships today to send a statement that they’re back on track at last. Record: 10-10-3 Link

Game #24: Home vs Detroit: 4-2 W
Analysis: The Armada win their second game in a row as they hope to recapture their good form from earlier in the season. Despite only mustering 14 shots across the entire 60 minutes of play, 4 of those shots found their way past Jakub Hasek into the back of the net. Rookies had another of those games for the Armada where they were on full display, as not one, but TWO players scored their first SMJHL goals. They were Raphael d’Alcott, whose goal ended up being the winner, and fellow winger Patrick Perry Jr. Two further rookies put up points, as d’Alcott’s wrister was set up by Jonas Larsen, and Halkias got a helper on Perry Jr.’s goal. Cloutier added one, while in goal Larson stopped 29 of 31 shots in what was a good game for him. Record: 11-10-3 Link

Game #25: Away vs Lethbridge: 1-7 L
Analysis: Welp. Some would call this a less than ideal way for a game to go for Anchorage. An absolute smashing at the hands of Lethbridge caps off the first 25 games of the Armada’s season, as rookie Joe Kerr’s goal was the only bright point of the game. Tough luck for the Boats, who will go into the second half with an even .500 record, which is not so bad considering how young the squad is. Record: 11-11-3 Link

1st Half Conclusion: Armada

Not bad, not great for Anchorage, as they are performing about par for the course this season, with a record of 11-11-3. Their rookies are adapting to the league more or less well, and at the very least the future looks bright for the young crop of the Armada. Inconsistency has been a large issue through the first half, as the team has been very streaky. As their rookies get more and more experienced, one can only assume that the performance levels of the team will improve. The second part of the recap will come shortly after the end of the regular season, and then after that there will be a playoff recap!

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