Ice Demons remain in first place. Smithers thump Luckies and Stampeders even their season at four and four over Ice

The Williams Lake Stampeders played host to the Omenica Ice Saturday, Nov. 8, and walked away with an 8-2 victory to even their season series with the Ice at 2 wins each. The Stamps also evened their overall regular season record at 4-4 and increased their hold on second place in the CIHL East division with 8 points, 2 points behind the first place Houston Luckies, which lost 7-1 in Smithers. Scoring for the Stamps were Wilfred Robbins with 3 goals, Francis Johnson with 2, with Robin Gilbert, Nathan Zurak and Brent McIsaac all adding singles. Johnson also had 3 assists for a 5 point evening. Paul Girodat had both goals for the Ice. Willie Sellars had an outstanding performance in the Stampdeder net making some fantastic saves to record his third win of the season. Nathan Vandelaar took the loss. The game was attended by about 350 fans. The Stampeders will look to continue with their winning ways, which has seen them post a 4-1 record in their last 5 games, when they again host the Omenica Ice next weekend for a pair of games. In Prince Rupert, the rookie Rampage were hoping to take two points from the champion Kitimat Ice Demons, but couldn’t find the penetration on terrible ice, as the Demons prevailed 5-2. Scorers for the Demons were Gerard Baldo (Craig Hewitson, Greg Sabey), Terry Whelan, (Jeff Mildenberger, Jeremy Brady), Braydon Hanson (Trent Bossence), Trent Bossence (Braydon Hanson, Greg Sabey) and Greg Sabey (Braydon Hanson, Mike Fisk). Rupert had goals from Kendall Stacesmith (Trent Davis, Travis Helland) and Brett Stava (Chris Woodrow, Dan Wright). After a lively first period, the Demons pretty well controlled the game, out-shooting the Rampage, 38-14. Rampage took 22 minutes in penalties and had two power play goals while Demons took 14 minutes shorthanded. In Terrace, the winless Hazelton Wolverines, couldn’t handle the Terrace offense as the River Kings prevailed 9-4 in a game less fight-filled then their last few encounters. In Smithers the Steelheads won handily 7-1 over the injury-plagued Houston Luckies. Our Smithers based CIHL reporters suggest this could be headlined Steelheads vs Kenzle as the Luckies Don Kenzle tried to stem the tide of Steelheads scoring. The Steelheads give notice, they’re for real. Full barn again, with the Luckies fans quieter than usual as injury hit Houston got run over. In first period action, Luckies did not have a shot on net until 7:08 of the first period, and their other two shots came two minutes later. The Luckies did not show their best stuff un this game, with Kenzle was the only reason the score wasn’t 6-0 after one. Only really big hit in the first was an Alonzo Slaney cross ice line up on Calfa . Steelheads first goal scored on the power play by Randle Groot (M.Verticchio, D. Calfa). Shots on net (saves) 16 – 3 for the Fish. Luckies came out in the second with some new life and applied a little pressure. Three good shots on Deba, who did his job, two great toe saves and glove save to the top corner. The Luckies seemed to run out of gas and left the rest of the game to Kenzle. The Steelheads’ second goal was scored by Darryl Young, his first of three/ Matt Arnold assisted. Shots on goal were 18 – 7 for the Fish. The third was all Fish in every aspect of the game with some great goaltending by Kenzle. The Luckies only goal was a turnover by the Fish and the goal was given to Brandon Ophus (Noah Bell assisted). Kenzel kept the Luckies in the game till 13:16 of the third period, then the goals started going in at will. Smithers’ third goal, power play scored by Ty Koldyk (M. Wall, D. McMillan assisted). Darryl Young’s second of the night (M. Arnold, E. Smith) kept Smithers on a roll. Coach Shane Brienen gave Kenzle the rest of the night off. Dylan Becker’s debut to the CIHL earned him an early exit from the game, for checking from behind, nobody hurt, questionable, but the right call. The Fish fifth goal, and his third of the night by Darryl Young (M. Wall assisted). The sixth goal was his second of the night, for Randal Groot ( M. Wall, T. Kodak ). The game got a bit out of hand as the frustrated Luckies tried to send a “next time” message in the final minutes. Kellin Brown took on Crump, Skylar Hassell battled Groot and the other Hasell took on Kyle Young. The Fish seventh goal was scored by Tyler Pederson ( M. Verticchio assisted). Final Shots on goal were 49 – 16 in favour of the Steelheads. Our reporter gave first star to Darryl Young,, second Star to Kenzle and hon. mention to Randal Groot The Luckies and the Steelheads – unbelievably - tangle again this Saturday in Houston.

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