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Preds can’t buy goals late; swept by Rifles in doubleheader

Jun 6, 2015 | 10:04 PM

The Prince Albert Predators were all Swedish and no Finnish as they lost both double-header games Saturday to the Regina Rifles at the Kinsmen.

Despite decent starts and leading after the opening periods, the Predators lost 9-4 early in the afternoon, followed up by an 18-9 defeat in the evening. The two losses drop the Preds’ record to 6-5 on the year, still in second place on the Prairie Gold Lacrosse League junior table.

Of the Predators’ 13 goals they scored in the weekend, nine of them came in the opening period. They could barely scrape by in the final 40 minutes, as they just two goals after the first periods of each game.

“We didn’t stick to our game plan today,” said Predators head coach Darryl Frenette. “All the other games we’ve played this year, we’ve gotten into a game plan. Today, we wanted to do it all ourselves and it really showed up.

“There wasn’t really a lot of give-and-go’s or quick sticks. When you try to do it on your own, you just can’t win. You can’t beat these goalies one-on-one, they’re too good.”

The Predators have just one game remaining in their regular season, an away contest against the Saskatoon S.W.A.T. on June 11.

Before the playoffs begin on June 13, Frenette wants to see his team improve on both sides of the ball.

“Naturally, we’d like to be a lot sharper, we’d like to be a lot better on D,” said Frenette. “Today just was a day where we couldn’t get the guys to play. We tried, but two games in a row that were quite a poor turnout, really, as far as effort goes.”

Rifles 9 Predators 4

The Prince Albert Predators opened the first period with a decent start, and led 2-1 after the opening period.

Jagg Carlson scored both goals for the Predators from his favourite position off the left post.

The Predators ran cold after that, as they went 26:47 without a goal until captain Arliss McCloy finally broke the streak late in the second period. Because of their offensive drought, the Rifles were able to get back in the game and have a 6-3 lead heading into the third period.

The Rifles outscored the Predators 3-1 in the third to secure their victory.

Rifles 18 Predators 9

Saturday’s second game started as a goal festival, but like the first, the Predators led 7-6 after the opening 20 minutes.

But again, the Predators’ offence hit a second period snag as they only managed to score one goal. The Rifles didn’t skip a beat as they led 14-8 heading into the third.

But they hit another second period drought, not scoring in until 9:52 into the period. Again, it was captain McCloy to the rescue to snap the scoreless streak and get the Predators back in a 10-8 game.

It didn’t do much good as the Rifles went on an 8-1 run to complete the sweep.

McCloy had a hat trick, while Reid Corrigal had a pair of goals. Connor Corrigal, Josh McDougall, Brendon Beaulac and Brealan Frenette also scored in the game.

Fraser Belanger had six goals for the Rifles in the second game alone, while Jesse Duncan had four.

jdandrea@panow.com

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea