CIH League starting to shape up in both divisions As some of the teams start to approach the half-way mark of the season, trends are developing in both divisions – but there are a lot of question marks up the air in month two of the CIHL 2006-07 season. With the still-perfect 8-0 Williams Lake Stampeders idle in the East Division, the west division leaders, Kitimat Ice Demons and Smithers Steelheads both took four points of east-division opponents on the weekend. Smithers did it hosting the 100-Mile House Bears, winning Saturday 10-3 and Sunday by a score of 7-2. Demons hosted the Omenica Ice to finish the season’s regular season schedule between the two teams. Demons had too much speed and scoring power Saturday, winning 6-2, in a game where both goaltenders, Jamie Moran (Demons) and Brett Williams (Ice) had good nights between the posts, despite the final score. Sunday’s game was a little closer, 5-4, but Demons still had most of the play. However, a second or two longer in the game, and Ice could have taken a point because the puck crossed the line, with the goalie pulled for an extra attacker, but the officials agreed the buzzer to end the game went off before the puck dribbled in and the goal was waved off, to the chagrin of the Ice officials and players. Meanwhile in Mackenzie, the Moose earned back a little respect for the eastern division, earning a split with the Terrace River Kings, losing 5-1 Saturday night but coming from behind on Sunday, in a much more determined effort to win 6-4, with former goalie John Beck playing his first game for the Moose. Beck had two wins earlier in the season with the Omineca Ice, but returned to his old team to share goaltending duties with Drew White. The win was the first for the Moose in the season, and will inspire come confidence. Mackenzie Moose will be looking for an opportunity to move up in the Division as they meet the 100 Mile House Bears this weekend in 100 Mile House. The Moose and the Bears have both struggled this season, so this one is anybody’s guess. Demons and Steelheads share top spot in the west Division with 13 points each from nine games. Goal scoring shows these teams are well matched with each team with 55 goals for and Steelheads with 35 goals against, compared to Demons 34. Houston Luckies still lurk in the background, with only five games played, but with six points. Luckies are a point behind the Terrace River Kings who have only seven points from 10 games. Houston has five games in hand on the River Kings and four in hand on the Demons and Steelheads, giving them a big opportunity to move quickly up the league. The two teams meet in Houston this weekend and the River Kings will be anxious to get back on a winning track, as they slide behind the Demons and Steelheads. Demons are now idle for nearly four weeks – their next two scheduled games are home games against the Houston Luckies Dec. 9 and 10. These are always contentious affairs and the Luckies will be looking to avenge a 12-2 pounding the last time the two teams met in Houston, Oct. 15. Hazelton Wolverines were idle this past weekend, but only have one win to show for five games played. Their “snowed-out” games with Smithers are being rescheduled, as are games between Houston and the Omenica Ice. No details on the new dates, but the Wolverines will be in Smithers for a double header on Nov. 25-26. Over in the east division the idle Stamps will be back in action this weekend, Nov. 18-19, with Williams Lake traveling to the unknown confines of the Hazelton arena, as these teams meet to complete their season schedule. Stamps won both meetings in Williams Lake.