The St. Albert Merchants are back in business after their 17-game winning streak ended last weekend in Beaumont.
The Money Men raised their first-place record to 29-3-1 in the Capital Junior B Hockey League in Wednesday's 5-1 victory over the North Edmonton Red Wings at Londonderry Arena.
"We want to have some momentum going into playoffs and I think we responded well after that loss," said assistant captain Ryan Harrison.
The first loss since Nov. 8 was 3-2 against the hometown Chiefs (16-13-4).
"That game was a good wakeup call for us, especially being on a 17-game winning streak like that," Harrison said. "You have to remember that you can't take every game for granted and you're not going to be handed wins. You have to show up every game."
The Chiefs struck twice late in the second period to lead 2-1 and with 7:46 left in the game made it 3-1.
Jordan MacPhee opened the scoring in the second with the Merchants on the penalty kill and Mitch McNamara closed the gap with 2:21 remaining.
Shots were 32-20 for the visitors. In net was Max Cathcart (9-3, 2.15 GAA).
"They came out strong against us but we still played a good game," Harrison said.
The Merchants were due to lose after closer-than-expected results of 6-4 against the Beverly Warriors (16-16) in Edmonton, 3-2 against the Leduc Riggers (12-16-4) at home and 6-4 against the host Stony Plain Flyers (14-16-1).
"Our coaches had talked to us about our last two or three games and said we haven't been playing to our full potential," Harrison said.
The three wins before the loss were tough tests against teams battling for playoff positions in their respective divisions. Teams are also gunning for the Merchants, the leading contenders for the Founders Cup championship and a provincial berth.
"Everybody knows you're at the top of the standings so you're going to get the best out of everyone when you're playing them," Harrison said. "I don't think it's too much of a burden. We look forward to it because we know we're getting the best out of every team and we're still winning."
Playoff push
The Merchants have four games remaining in league play after Friday's tilt with the rival Morinville Jets (15-15-2) in St. Albert. The score was unavailable at press time.
Last year's semifinalists are guaranteed a best-of-three opening playoff round bye and will have home-ice advantage in the best-of-five quarter-finals.
Harrison, 21, believes the Merchants – averaging 5.97 goals scored and 2.33 against – have to stay the course as the playoffs draw closer.
"I don't think we have to tweak anything at all for the playoffs. We've only lost three games this year. We're going pretty strong. We've got to stick to our playing abilities and keep focused at what we're good at," he said. "We're going to be building some good momentum going into playoffs here and we'll be ready for playoff time."
Head coach Scott Rodda suggested the challenge heading into the playoffs is to continue working hard to improve and solidify a work ethic that is relentless, consistent and focused on the overall team goals.
Rodda added the players and coaches have to ensure they are developing the character and habits that will translate into success.
"It will be important that all the players realize the sacrifices and character it requires to win in the playoffs. It's a different type of game and the regular season success or records don't carry over. Tougher games down the stretch will help solidify the fundamentals we have been impressing upon," said the CJHL's coach of the year candidate.
The Merchants wasted no time returning to their winning ways with a decisive outcome against the Red Wings (17-11-3), ranked second behind the Money Men in the west standings.
"We had a good game. We got back to our game again," said Harrison.
The overage centre potted a pair for 10 goals this season. A broken jaw early in the season sidelined the Merchants' 2013 outstanding forward and top scorer award winner for eight weeks. He has 18 points in 18 games after recording 13 goals, 29 assists and 42 points in 33 games last season. He also led the Merchants in penalty minutes with 124.
McNamara (power play), A.J. Yariwon and Sandan Hunter (shorthanded) also scored.
The Merchants were outshot 30-29. In net was all-star Justin Pawlenchuk (20-1, 2.43 GAA).
"They kind of controlled a bit of the play at the start but we responded farther into the game," said Harrison, the 2013 recipient of the $1,000 John Reid Memorial Scholarship.
His brother, Jeff, an 18-year-old defenceman, has been a steady contributor as a junior B rookie with 16 assists in 28 games.
ICE CHIPS: The next game is Friday against the east division-leading Fort Saskatchewan Hawks (22-8-1) at 8 p.m. at Akinsdale Arena.
The Merchants' last loss before the Beaumont setback was 6-2 in Fort Saskatchewan.
Josh Jewell will return to the lineup Friday after finishing his four-game suspension for a check to the head match penalty against Leduc.
The Merchants' top point producer with 48 in 26 games shared the team lead in goals with Brent McGugan at 21 apiece.
Stefan Meunier sat out Wednesday's win with a one-game suspension for his third fight of the season, a second-period dust-up against Brendan Osborn in Beaumont. The fan favourite is the team's PIM leader with 119 in 28 games.
