Terrace River Kings consolidate CIHL lead with a win and a tie with the Smithers Steelheads

The Terrace River Kings, in their second season in the Central Interior Hockey League have consolidated their position at the top of the league with a convincing 6-3 win on Saturday Dec. 3 at home, and holding the Steelheads to a high-scoring 6-6 tie in the Sunday afternoon game. The River Kings enjoy a six point lead over Houston, with 22 points in the bank, against the Luckies’ 16 points. While Terrace looks good atop the league, they clearly recognize the upcoming challenge from the Houston Luckies, who were idle over the weekend, and thus have four games in hand. Houston seems to have a favorable schedule over the weeks till the Christmas break, facing the last place Williams Lake Stampeders twice this coming weekend in Williams Lake. There are no sure points, but on the record, Houston can expect to close the gap this weekend and will have a further opportunity in the Dec. 17-18 weekend with two home games against the Mackenzie Moose. The Smithers Steelheads are far from being out of the picture, after losing three points on a disappointing trip to Terrace. The Steelheads will take on Williams Lake in Smithers Dec.17-18, while the Ice Demons, struggling to maintain position play a doubleheader against the 100 Mile House Bears. The River Kings don’t play again until Dec. 29 when they host the Ice Demons in Terrace in what is expected to be a barn-burner as the Demons continue to try to claw their way up the league ladder. Demons have only lost once to the River Kings, but that was their last game in Terrace. There will be lots of excitement coming up in the next three weekends in the CIHL. Staying healthy will be the challenge for the top four teams.