Penalties were the St. Albert Miners’ downfall last weekend in the junior A playoffs in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League.
In game three at Northstar Hyundai Arena, the Okotoks Raiders capitalized 12 times on the power play in the 19-7 blowout to sweep the best-of-five semifinal. They outscored the Miners 15-2 on 25 shots in the opening period on the strength of eight power play goals.
The Miners racked up 99 minutes in penalties on 30 infractions in the fight-filled affair, compared to 61 minutes on 15 infractions by the Raiders.
David Ahl and Spencer Gelinas scored twice and Ryan Davis, Tyler Flurey and Richard Thompson added singles. Gelinas was the team’s top scorer in the series with six goals and two assists.
The Miners outshot the Raiders 54-52 after registering only eight shots in the first.
Scott Kavalinas let in 13 goals on 42 shots in 51:25 minutes of action and backup Jon McMillan gave up six goals on 10 shots.
The Raiders opened the series with victories of 10-8 and 13-7 in Okotoks.
In league play the Raiders (13-3-2) finished first and the Miners (3-14-1) were last in the four-team standings.
In last year’s semifinal the Raiders eliminated the Miners in four games.
Four players with midget AAA connections with the St. Albert Slash have been shortlisted by Hockey Alberta for evaluation in preparation for the 2012 National Women’s U18 Hockey Championship.
Defenceman Jessica Dyck and forwards Karly Heffernan and twins Ashley and Deanna Morin are among 27 athletes who are vying for spots on Team Alberta for the Nov. 7 to 11 national tournament in Dawson Creek.
The selection process started at a spring camp where 88 athletes competed for one of 46 spots at the summer camp.
The 27 shortlisted athletes will showcase their skills at a tournament against the University of Alberta Pandas and two bantam AAA male teams September 7 to 9 in Edmonton. They will also be scouted with their club teams before Team Alberta names its 20-player roster.
Meanwhile, Heffernan is among 40 athletes participating at the U18 national women’s selection camp in Calgary. Last month the Calgary Edge School player attended a high performance camp in Finland.
