The Ridge Meadows Flames were their own worst enemies last weekend as they allowed six power play goals to fall to 1-4-1 this season.
The local junior B hockey club lost 7-4 to the Aldergrove Kodiaks at home Friday night, before playing to a 6-6 tie against the North Vancouver Wolf Pack Saturday night on the road.
Friday’s game saw the Flames head to the penalty box seven times while allowing Aldergrove four power play goals.
“We didn’t do ourselves any favors,” said Flames head coach Jamie Fiset. “We let emotion get the better of us. We spent too much time in the box, and when we were in there, we didn’t do a good enough job on the [penalty kill].”
The Kodiaks opened a three-goal lead in the first period, and midway through the second, were ahead 5-1.
The Flames did their best to chip away at the lead, with a pair of goals towards the end of the second period to pull within two.
However, two quick power play goals by the Kodiaks early in the third period quashed any hopes the Flames had of a comeback.
“We need to be more aggressive on the penalty kill,” said Fiset. “We are much more effective when we don’t allow the other team to make passes and pick their spots.”
One of the few bright spots for the Flames was the play of rookie forward Chris Nakamura, who tallied a hat trick in the loss, while picking up second star honours.
Adam Bartsch had the other goal for the Flames, while defenceman Ryan Lisowsky had a pair of assists. Sean Pesut, Mitchell Plevy, Max Metzner, Nick Coltura, and Alex Smith each registered assists.
The Flames’ penalty kill was working early in the game on Saturday, as Ridge Meadows was able to successfully kill four penalties in the first period against North Vancouver, while taking a 3-1 lead.
However, as they game wore on, Fiset said fatigue began to set in, and the team reverted to the passive play that cost them against Aldergrove.
“We shut them down pretty well early,” he said. “Then our guys got tired, they weren’t as aggressive, and they weren’t as effective.”
The Wolf Pack scored a power play goal midway through the second to draw within one, tying the game 3-3 two minutes later.
The team traded goals for the final 25 minutes of regulation, with the Flames holding a 6-5 lead until North Vancouver tied the game with 15 seconds to play.
Both teams were held scoreless in the 10-minute overtime period, leaving the Flames with a single point.
Goaltender Wes McLeod stopped 45 of 51 shots he faced, including eight shots in overtime.
Paul Piluso had a pair of goals for the Flames, while Dean Gilmore, Michael Nolan, Nolan Wallinger, and Smith each had goals of their own. Matt Bissett picked up a pair of assists, while Bartsch, Wallinger, Pesut, Metzner, Coltura, and Marco Ballarin each added helpers of their own.
Of the 18 skaters the Flames dressed on Saturday, 12 made their way on t the score sheet. In all, the Flames saw seven players light the lamp over the weekend.
“I’m not worried about our offensive output,” said Fiset. “It’s our Penalty kill that needs to tighten up.”
• The Ridge Meadows Flames face the North Vancouver Wolf Pack at home this Friday at Planet Ice in Maple Ridge. Game time is a 7:30 p.m.
