Not the start they wanted- Voyageurs lose to Ooks

LAC LA BICHE – It wasn't the start they wanted; it wasn't the result either. Still, there were lots of positives for the Portage College Voyageurs to take from a season opening 3-0 loss to the visiting NAIT Ooks Friday night. It didn't start off looking that way. Twenty seconds into their season, the Voyageurs found themselves trailing after former Voyageur Colby Livingstone potted his first of the campaign. "That first goal there, that was just a breakdown in coverage," said Portage Head Coach Kevin McClelland. "It started from their top of the circle into our own zone. We didn't have people in the right spot. That's a tough way to start, first shot on net."

Unlike previous seasons, when a first-minute goal would turn into four or five first period goals, the Voyageurs regrouped and played a feisty game against a perennial ACAC powerhouse, keeping the 150 or so spectators at the Bold Center on the edge of their seats. Jacob Gnidziejko was stellar in net, stopping 33 of 36 shots and was named Player of the Game for the home squad. The Voyageurs also generated a few chances on the man advantage but couldn't find the back of the net.

"Our powerplay got better in the third period," said McClelland. "We had a few opportunities but we've got to find ways to score." The head coach was particularly pleased with his squad's final period when they outshot the Ooks 11-8, even if he wasn't pleased with NAIT's third goal.  "That third goal should've never, never happened," he said of Jared Legien's first of the season. "We won the draw and it's in our net. That's not good. A couple of defensemen were standing around. Next time they'll be standing in the stands for sure."

The Voyageurs next travel to Edmonton Nov. 19 to take on Concordia before returning home to host Augustana Nov. 26. Despite the season-opening loss, McClelland believes his troops have lots to build upon. "There was a lot of positives tonight, lot of positives," he said. "We've got a lot of things to work on like I told the guys but I saw a lot of good things out there."

Players of the Game

· NAIT: Ethan McIndoe (2 assists)

· Portage: Jacob Gnidziejko (33 saves)

- David Paul