The St. Albert Steel were too slow skating out of the starting gate in Friday’s loss in Olds.
Outshot 18-4 in the first period and 47-21 overall, the Steel dropped a 3-2 decision against the hometown Grizzlys in their Alberta Junior Hockey League opener.
“We got outplayed pretty bad,” said goalie Ty Swabb, the Steel’s player of the game with 44 saves. “I was a little disappointed in the intensity our team had. I didn’t think it was all there but we should be getting better as the season goes on.”
Both Abt brothers scored from the blueline. Jordan tied it up in the second period and Matt beat the buzzer on the power play with one second remaining in the game.
“We didn’t get to test out the rookie goaltender [Adam Weersink] they had in net. He was probably pretty nervous. It was his first start but we didn’t get any pucks on net so we didn’t get to see what he had,” Swabb said.
Olds tallied twice with the man advantage. Taylor Bourne also converted a shoot-in into an unassisted goal with 2:23 left in period two. Swabb left the net to play the bouncing puck but it ended up on Bourne’s stick and he put it away.
Swabb, 19, was happy with his performance.
“I had one of my best games in my junior career. I made some good saves. There was one breakaway and some odd man rushes where I think our high guy got caught down low and kind of left our defence out there.”
The former Sherwood Park Crusader was pumped to play in the season opener.
“There were no nerves. I felt really confident in net. I had a good pre-season so I was ready to go,” said Swabb, who shut out his former AJHL team with 47 saves Sept. 2 in Sherwood Park.
In July, the Steel acquired Swabb and defenceman Kyle Scaber, 19, from the Crusaders for future considerations.
“It’s great to be here. Everything is so nice,” Swabb said. “I’m excited to get the season started.”
In his AJHL debut season, Swabb backed up Pat Terriss and, in 18 appearances with the Crusaders, went 6-8-2 while posting a 3.13 GAA and .908 save percentage.
“I thought I did really well. I didn’t really get a chance to play much because Terriss was always playing so well but I’m happy to get a shot this year. I should get quite a few games,” Swabb said. “I just want to play my best and try and get noticed by the scouts.”
Swabb and Steel veteran Rhys Hadfield, 20, are projected to split the first 20 games.
“Me and Haddy will be pushing each other the whole year,” said the midget AAA product of the Maple Leafs. “I’ve never really had that before, to be honest. When I was in midget, I was usually the guy. Last year, I was the backup the whole time. It was kind of different so this will be kind of new for me.”
The six-foot-three Swabb has fast feet and a body big enough to fill the net.
“Last year I was a little bit slower but I think I improved my speed in the offseason,” he said. “My main strength is positioning. When I play aggressively, I get out to the puck from the crease. I also use my size to my advantage.”
The Archbishop O’Leary High School graduate spent three years at the Spartans’ hockey academy while climbing the hockey ladder.
“It was really good for my goaltender development while going to high school.”
ICE CHIPS: Steel rookie Travis Geislinger and returnee Bryce Sauers picked up assists in Olds.
The Steel went 1-for-8 on the power play.
Jordan Abt also dropped the gloves against Spencer Dorowicz in the second period.
The Steel’s home opener is Friday against the Crusaders at 7 p.m. at Performance Arena.
The next night the Steel travel to Grande Prairie to play the Storm.
