The St. Albert Merchants storied season came to a grinding halt over the weekend as the team lost two straight games.
Heading into last weekend the Merchants had won 17 straight games to start the year and outscored their opponents 130-37, but on Nov. 17 the streak came to an abrupt end after the Morinville Jets walked away with an 8-2 win.
Then, on Nov. 19, the Merchants lost to the Beaumont Chiefs 5-2.
The game against Morinville got off to a rough start as Jets player Braydin Maio was kicked-out after a major charging penalty and game misconduct.
The Merchants found themselves trailing 3-1 after the first before a string of penalties in the second period allowed the Jets to pull away with a 6-1 lead.
The Merchants had 20 penalty minutes in the second period, including team captain Dylan McFatridge earning a double minor for slew-footing, and Hudson Ketsa getting a 10-minute misconduct for roughing.
Penalty trouble followed the Blue Guys into the third period as Ketsa took a double minor for spearing, and as the game was winding down Ketsa got a second 10-minute misconduct for roughing, while assistant captain Kaleb West also received a misconduct.
Penalties were also a major-theme in Sunday night's match against the Chiefs, as the Merchants tallied 50 penalty minutes, 30 of which came in the second period alone.
The Merchants will look to get back on track with a home game against the Spruce Grove Regals on Friday at Jarome Iginla Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.
