Things didn’t go as well as Prairie Hockey Academy hoped in the opening game of the Canadian Sport School Hockey League U15 Showcase on Friday afternoon in Caronport.
Taking on Winnipeg-based Rink Academy in the opening game of the six-team tournament at the Barkman Arena, the Cougars surrendered three goals in the second period and would go on to drop a 6-1 decision.
Rink improved to 12-3-0-0 with the win and moved into sole possession of second place in the U15 Prep standings, while PHA dropped to 6-6-0-0 to sit in ninth place overall.
Things were close in the early going, as Isaac Sousa scored the lone goal of the first period only 1:19 into the proceedings to give Rink a 1-0 lead through 20 minutes.
Winnipeg outshot PHA 14-4 in the period, though, and as that shot volume continued after the break, the goals started to go in.
Jake Ritson made it 2-0 Rink midway through the second before Drayden Uhrina scored goals 1:30 apart late in the frame to make it 4-0 Winnipeg.
Ethan Grant got one back for PHA with two minutes gone in the third, but goals from Ritson and Cohen Lewko wrapped up scoring and gave Rink their five-goal win.
Brady Robert turned aside 43 shots for PHA, including 22 in the third period alone. The Cougars had 13 shots on Rink’s Tate Barnaby.
Things don’t get any easier for PHA, as the schedule maker saw to it four of the league’s top six teams are in action at the Barkman this weekend,
Prairie Hockey takes on Northern Alberta Xtreme (12-2-0-1) in their lone game Saturday at 4:30 p.m. before wrapping up their Showcase against Edge School (10-3-0-0) at 11:45 a.m. Sunday.
Depending on results, any of the Cougars’ opponents on the weekend could end up in first place by the time things are said and done.
Action continues Friday with PIlot Mound (3-10-0-0) taking on OHA Edmonton (5-9-0-0) at 5:15 p.m. followed by Northern Alberta facing Edge School.
Saturday games include Rink taking on Pilot Mound at 11 a.m., OHA Edmonton against Edge at 1:45 p.m. and the aforementioned game between PHA and Northern Alberta at 4:30 p.m.
The contest between the Cougars and Edge School is the lone contest Sunday.
Be sure to check out all the scores from the weekend at www.csshl.ca.
