Predators attacker Kale Amundrud scores a diving goal in the Preds' first PGLL game of the season, Tuesday night against the SWAT at the Kinsmen Arena. Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff

By Jeff D'Andrea

Back in Black

Predators begin first ever title defence with highflying win

Apr 30, 2019 | 10:54 PM

For the first time ever, the Prince Albert Predators began a season with the Prairie Gold Lacrosse League title to defend.

The defence is starting out pretty well, as the Preds opened up the year with a flashy 21-10 victory over the Saskatoon SWAT Tuesday at the Kinsmen Arena.

“It’s probably good for our kids to have some of that pressure and have to face that every game—when teams are out to get us every game,” Predators head coach Tyson Fetch said. “I think it’s probably good for us.”

The Predators did lose some key offensive bodies in the lineup from last year, especially their two leading scorers in Ashton Hall and Kurtis Peifer who both occupied the left side of the house. But at least after one game of 21 goals scored, it hasn’t hurt them yet.

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“They were a little down at first when we lost our top three or four scorers from last year, but here they are, battling,” Fetch said. “We just told them, nobody’s going to hand us the cup. We got to work again. We have to win a dozen or 13 games before they let us hold that again.”

Predators’ captain Carson Remy, who’s played for the Predators since 2014 as a defender, made the switch over to the attacking squad to take one of those empty spots on the left side. Remy looked like he’d played that position his whole career on Tuesday, as he scored four goals and added four assists.

“I was pleasantly surprised, but we knew he had it in him” Fetch said. “He’s put in extra time after each practice and each floor time, he’s out there for an extra half hour, shooting balls and working on his shot. Hard work pays off. When you work hard, you’ll be rewarded.”

Kale Amundrud, a returning attacker on the right side, had four goals and five assists. Dillon Cochrane had four goals as well.

The Predators will host a pair of games on the weekend at the Kinsmen Arena against the Standing Buffalo Fighting Sioux, at 3 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday.

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW