The Cochrane Chaos female junior hockey team have been very impressive this season in the Alberta Junior Female Hockey League (AJFHL), racking up 16 of a possible 20 wins including a 10-game winning streak that was just recently snapped on Jan. 14 when they fell 6-3 to the Edmonton Wolves. The Chaos also beat the league leading Central Alberta Amazons 1-0 on Jan. 12.
The game against the Amazons was a very tight affair, with not a lot of scoring chances. Kaylin Herman made the most of her chances, scoring the game-winning goal in overtime after she beat the Amazons goaltender with a rocket of a shot. Megan Parkyn was also very solid in net, turning aside all 16 shots she faced throughout the game.
Cochrane seemingly has had Central Alberta’s number this season, as they have won four straight against the league leaders and have also forced four of the Amazon’s five losses on the season. They have outscored them 12-5 on the season.
The Chaos followed up their tenth straight win with a disappointing loss to Edmonton when they lost 6-3 to an upbeat Wolves squad. The Chaos were down 4-0 going into the third period before Ryann Altwasser, Kiera Davidson and Faith Gette got Cochrane on the board, but it was too little to late as Edmonton potted a pair of goals of their own in the third stanza. Goaltender Jenna Weseen suffered only her second loss on the year and his first in six games. She made 16 saves on 21 shots.
Chaos head coach Derek Loomer said the Wolves were deserving of the win and that his team will be prepared to hopefully start another long winning streak.
“Edmonton played a very determined game and caught us on an off night. It took us too long before we decided to wake up and push back … when we did, the game was already in Edmonton’s favour,” Loomer said.
“The group was disappointed that the win streak ended for sure. They realized what a great run it was and that loss just motivates us to hopefully start another one.”
Even with the loss, Cochrane is only two points back of Central Alberta, but the Amazons have played an extra game and the Chaos would have the tiebreaker due to the fact they’ve won the season series.
Loomer said the team needs to continue to do what makes them successful in order to keep pace for top spot in the league.
“We just have to go back to playing our game. The loss was a wake up call to remind us that just showing up to a game is not enough,” Loomer said.
“We need to come into games physically and mentally prepared to play.”
The Chaos will now have two important home games, starting on Jan. 19 against the Lethbridge Eagles. The team will also play the following day at the Springbank Outdoor Arena against the Calgary Titans, in a game that has a lot more meaning to it than just a game of hockey.
The outdoor game is being used to honour the life of Owen Moore, who committed suicide this past spring.
Loomer says the game is being used as a way to raise awareness for mental health.
“This past spring, Owen took his own life. Both his sisters played for us last season and I had coached them for several seasons previously in Calgary. The family is therefore very much connected to the Chaos and we felt this event for would be a good way for the team to honour Owen and the Moores while raising awareness of mental health issues that we as a society are challenged with,” Loomer said.
“The Moore’s have been very supportive of the event and have asked us to share Owen’s final message, which is a powerful revelation of the mental health issues he was dealing with. People in attendance will have the opportunity to donate to mental health charities and our net proceeds will go towards supporting mental health awareness in our communities.”
Puck drop for the game against Lethbridge will go at 7 pm at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre while puck drop for the outdoor memorial game will be at 2 p.m.
