The addition of Kristian Petit and the re-acquisition of Andrew Bergmann left Airdrie Thunder head coach Darryl Einarson with the beloved task of line juggling last weekend.
He put them together, added Travis Wallan, and the trio combined for 14 points in two games.
Unfortunately, the Heritage Junior B team could only manage a split during its two-game road trip, a 5-4 loss to Three Hills Thrashers, Dec. 4, and a 7-5 win over the Medicine Hat Cubs on Dec. 5.
“We put together the new line together and they just dominated on Sunday,” Einarson said. “(Petit) was out in Kimberley in the KI (Kootenay International Junior Hockey League), but he just wants to come back and play in his hometown and we’re happy to have him. He can put the puck in the net and do everything really. He’s very, very skilled and he’s a great kid. And getting Bergmann back – he’s a tremendous talent, no doubt about that.”
Petit and Bergmann each scored against the Cubs, with Wallan, Alex Hustad and Kelly Duke adding singles.
“We had lots of penalties (Sunday) and we had a 7-3 lead and let them get a couple, which as a coach you hate to see,” Einarson said. “Otherwise it was a really solid win as it’s a tough building to play in. We were pretty pleased with the boys.”
Jeff Gardner made 33 saves, while Petit scored twice and Abdo Hamoud and Cache Doolaege added singles against the Thrashers.
“It was a tough game in Three Hills and it’s a game we could’ve had. We let them get that fifth and, no matter how we tried, couldn’t tie it up. We had our chances, hit goalposts, but give their goalie credit as he made some really big stops too,” Einarson said.
“But we get a chance at them again on Friday at home and hopefully we can vindicate ourselves. They’re in our division, so the better you get to know the opponent, the better you’re going to make out later on if you meet them in the playoffs. It should be a great game and we’ve also got some tough games before Christmas here, with division games against Didsbury and Cochrane coming up after Three Hills.”
Airdrie will host the Thrashers at the Ron Ebbesen Arena on Dec. 10, with game time scheduled for 8 p.m.
The Thunder will then host the Mountainview Colts, Dec. 17, before wrapping up the 2010 portion of the schedule in Cochrane against the rival Generals on Dec. 18.
