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Williams Lake Stampeders still undefeated at the half way point of the CIHL season…
Although they were idle this past weekend, the Williams Lake Stampeders are still the top team in the CIHL with an 11-0 record…but there were games with changed the complexion of the standings. The Omenica Ice took full advantage of the opportunity provided by two games on home ice against the 100 Mile House Bears in the east division to solidify a likely playoff spot, moving up to 13 points, still nine points behind the Stamps, but good enough to draw the Ice into a tie with the Kitimat Ice Demons and the Houston Luckies for one of two available post-season playoff spots. The Ice won the Saturday game 9-5 as the Bears put up some spirited opposition. But on Sunday, the Bears appeared to fade after opening the scoring after just under five minutes gone in the first. That was all their offence and the Ice tied the game with seconds left in the first period and then rolled up another 10 goals, five per period, in the rest of the game for an 11-1 win. Both games provided an opportunity for the Ice scorers to pad their stats and they took it. Both Boon and McIsaac had six point weekends, with Boon notching a hat trick Sunday. The Ice Demons were still idle, for the fourth weekend in a row and have only played nine games to date. The Terrace River Kings were in action, however, and were able to fend off the Hazelton Wolverines, in what was clearly a fairly close game, by a score of 7-6 on Terrace ice. Mitch Marshall had a hat trick for the Wolverines, but they left their comeback too late after Terrace took it to them early. In the only other game on the schedule, west division leaders’ the Smithers Steelheads didn’t have their A game on hand in Houston, as the Luckies enhanced their chances of gaining a playoff spot by winning 5-1. This coming weekend features a number of games which could be critical in determining the positions around the Christmas break. Kitimat will host the Houston Luckies for two important games in the west division, while Smithers will have the opportunity to maintain their league lead with a game in Hazelton against the Wolverines. In the east division the Williams Lake Stampeders have been adding players and home to maintain their perfect record as they travel to Mackenzie for two games against the Moose, who have been showing some signs of a renaissance. The Omenica Ice will take their show on the road to complete their season’s schedule against 100 Mile House. The Bears will need to bring all of their best resources to bear to break into the win column…
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