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Houston Luckies take a tough 3-4 overtime loss against Steelheads

"They came back [from a 2-0 start] and they wouldn't quit. This early in the year that's what you want from your team," said Coach Brienen.
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Assistant Captain Skylar Hassel tips the puck over the Steelhead goalie in the middle of the third period

The Houston Luckies lost a close 3-4 overtime game against the Smithers Steelheads last Saturday.

"We were right in there all the way," said Head Coach Shane Brienen.

"It could have gone either way."

With only a week of ice time following tryouts, the Luckies came out a bit rough, ending the first period with a 2-0 score for Steelheads.

But Luckies fought hard and came back in the second period, hitting the ice with renewed energy and purpose.

Five minutes into the second, Right Wing Rylan Stanyer slapped the puck through the goalie's legs and into the back of the net, assisted by Jaden Janzen.

Only minutes later, Brandon West tied up the game 2-2, picking up a pass from Glen Kelly right in front of the net and slapping it into the back corner.

The second period ended at a 2-2 tie.

Both teams came out strong in the third period, with goalies working hard to fight off the shots.

Five minutes in, Steelheads broke the tie with a slap shot into the top corner of the net, but the Luckies weren't done.

The crowd shot to their feet as Skylar Hassel picked up a rebound from Brandon West and fired it over the goalie and into the back of the net, tying the game 3-3.

Luckies took Steelheads into overtime, which ended with a disappointing Steelhead goal from the left wing and a 4-3 loss for the Luckies.

But Luckies remain positive about the season start.

"I think it was pretty good overall performance for us," said Assistant Captain Skylar Hassel.

"Our goalie played awesome and a tie game against Smithers for the first game of the year is a really good start for us," he said.

"I think we're hard hitting and everyone seems to have heart. Everyone was going hard out there and that's the best you can ask for," said Hassel.

Head Coach Shane Brienen agrees.

"I liked the heart tonight. They showed a good effort. They ran out of gas a little bit a few times, but I think the real strength is that they put in a good effort all the way through.

"They came back [from the 2-0 start] and they wouldn't quit. This early in the year that's really what you want from your team," he said.

"I think it's a great team. We've got lots of young guys and some good size and if we can give Smithers a hard time, we'll be competitive against everybody this year."