The Creighton Kodiaks jumped back on the gridiron on Sept. 12, earning their first win of the season in emphatic fashion.
After dropping their opening game against archrival Sandy Bay, the Kodiaks got back to winning ways, topping La Loche 72-0.
Playing a night game under the lights at Max Clunie Field in Prince Albert, the Kodiaks struck early and often, defeating a debutant La Loche team that has now been outscored 136-0 through their first two games.
After a difficult season opening 38-12 loss to Sandy Bay in which multiple players left with injuries, the win was a big confidence boost for the Creighton club. According to head coach Ryan Karakochuk, the experience of playing a night game was something new for the Kodiaks.
“I can see why teams down south try to do it once a year, they bring in those lights you can rent. I can see why now – the atmosphere was really cool,” he said, adding that parents came from Creighton and former Kodiaks players drove from Saskatoon to watch.
“All in all, I just know the kids thought it was a really cool experience. I’m glad they got to do it.”
The Kodiaks will play their next two games at home, starting with a game against the Cumberland House Islanders on Sept. 20, then against Pinehouse on Sept. 27. For the first game, the Kodiaks will break out new alternate uniforms, wearing black instead of the club’s typical green.
Both games could have league title ramifications. On Sept. 13, the Islanders defeated Sandy Bay 32-28, leaving only Cumberland House and Pinehouse as the only undefeated teams left. Pinehouse kept their record spotless by topping Beauval 42-20 on Sept. 12.
With Cumberland House and Pinehouse both undefeated, the Kodiaks will have to top both undefeated teams in Creighton to keep their league title hopes alive.
Reinforcements are likely to arrive in time for the Kodiaks’ home opener. As many as five players who either missed the start of the season or were injured are likely to return. Noah Dickens, who Karakochuk described as “probably our best player,” should be ready to play against the Islanders, along with Kaylab Ranks, who was injured on the first series of the year against Sandy Bay. Aiden Collard will make his home debut, while returning players Corbin Collier and Tyler Custer are slated to make their season debuts. Collier, who suffered season-ending ligament damage last year, has been medically cleared to take the field.
Karakochuk hopes the influx of experienced players will spark the team to some more vital wins.
“You could just see an energy there,” said Karakochuk.
“When you have more players, I can move guys around to where we couldn’t have them before.”
After those two home games, the Kodiaks will embark on their longest road trip of the year, driving almost eight hours to Beauval to face the Voyageurs.
