Ice Demons split weekend pair with Houston but remain in first place overall with 14 points

The Kitimat Ice Demons went to Houston to take on their East Division rivals, the Houston Luckies and wound up splitting the weekend series, winning 5-2 in a game they dominated Saturday, but losing 5-3 on Sunday, as the Luckies turned a few opportunities into goal. In the only other game in the CIHL the Terrace River Kings visited the still winless Hazelton Wolverines and, sticking mainly to hockey, handed the Wolverines a 10 - 2 shellacking. Demons opened the scoring in both games in Houston, but from that point on the outcomes were different directions. On Saturday in a game where the Demons had much better control of the puck than their opponents, the third period degenerated into a fight-filled affair, with three bouts and Demons took advantage of the Luckies desperation to stretch their lead to 5-2 late in the third. However, on Sunday, after leading, the Demons surrendered that lead off two give-away plays and despite plenty of opportunities to get back into the games, great goaltending and better goaltender protection by the Luckies' defense stymied them. The Demons flagged a little after an unfortunate deflection on a defensive play by Doug Wilson gave Luckies what turned out to be their winning goal. Demons out-shot their opponents by large margins in both games. On Saturday, the Luckies lost one of their best players, Derek Dinelle, who broke his wrist on the first play of the game when he was hit in the corner by Kitimat winger, Greg Sabey. Dinelle caught his wrist between his body and the boards. With less than four minutes gone, Terry Whelan got a double rebound off Houston goalie, Don Kenzle, and put the second shot behind him. Jeff Mildenberger, who was credited with the goal, on the score sheet, assisted. Ice Demons had the better of the play, directing 12 shots at Kenzle, while Jamie Moran, in the Demons net had to handle only five shots. Houston tied the game in the second, on a goal by Kyle Amonson (Mike MacKay) and then briefly went ahead when Brandon Ophus (Glen Kelley, Bill Spetch) was the beneficiary of a give-away in the Demon zone. But Jeff Mildenberger got that one back and four minutes later Terry Whelan (Ian Coleman, Jeremy Brady) put Kitimat ahead to stay with just two minutes left in the second period. Demons again had the advantage on shots on goal - 12-7 and only acrobatic goaltending by Kenzle kept the score down. Houston only had one shot in the third period. There were three fights, and almost a fourth in the period, as Houston lost its cool in the frustration they were experiencing. Blair Dinelle threw a major hit from behind on Paul Plante, who retaliated with his fists. Both were ejected for fighting and Kitimat had the benefit of a five minute penalty at the 13 minute mark of the period. Jeff Lloyd of the Luckies also went after Demons Terry Whelan, who didn't retaliate. Referee Conrad Brauer gave Lloyd five and a game after he dropped his gloves and began throwing punches. Whelan stayed in the game. But Houston coach Shane Brienen expressed his displeasure to the referee and also earned ejection from the game. Derek Wakita made it 4-2 finishing off a nine pass-up by Kyle Boudreault. Adam Buick also assisted. There were two other fights, with just five minutes remaining as Skylar Hassel slashed Demons winger, Greg Blair, and then pursued him till they both dropped the gloves. Blair, about eight inches shorter than Hassel acquitted himself well, although Hassel wound up on top. The linesmen were busy handling a spirited scrap between David Venman and Houston captain Dwayne Anderson. Venman pulled Anderson out of a two on one Blair and the two got into it. That was the end of the fisticuffs, but Demons had a goal left, scored by Greg Sabey with a hard shot that powered its way past Kenzle. Demons had a total of 10 shots in the period for 33 in the game and Houston's one brought their game total to 13. On Sunday, Demons were bolstered by the addition of Craig Hewitson, Trent Bossence and Chris Vilness and were expected to over-power Houston, but Vilness was lost to a knee injury in the first period and left the game. Houston played a better game both offensively and defensively and the play ranged up and down in a more exciting fashion early. Again Demons held a first period lead on a goal by Trent Bossence, sent into the clear by Jeff Mildenberger. Bossence drew Kenzle out and put it into the empty net. Kyle Boudreault also assisted. But in the second period Luckies dug down for two goals, one from Blair Dinelle, who sent a hard shot along the ice from the blue line that Brett Vilness misjudged. That came at the end of a long Houston penalty kill and the Luckies came back with a quick goal for a 3-1 lead by Mike MacKay (Glen Kelley, Blair Dinelle). Terry Whelan got that back a minute later from Jeff Mildenberger and Ian Coleman. Demons were attacking more strongly in the early part of the third, but sagged a little after an innocent slider at the net was accidentally deflected under Vilness by Demons defender, Doug Wilson. Encouraged, Luckies made it 5 -2 on a goal by Amonson, his second of the game. Derek Wakita made it 4-2, dragging a Luckies defender from the blue line in, but the damage was done and even with a power-play in the final two minutes Demons couldn't beat the massed defense and Kenzle although the goaltender made several good stops. Demons had a 26-14 edge in shots, but still suffered their first loss of the season, In Hazelton Cory Croft was in net for the Wolverines who trailed by six goals at the end of the second. The game was fast and furious with only a few minor altercations, as the River Kings extended their winning streak with a final score of 10 - 3. Terrace Goaltender Burny Carlsen started out slow but came back with a good performance and was given the teams "Player of the Game" award. The two team meet again next weekend in Hazelton for two games. It is expected the Wolverines will let out all the stops to prevent a repeat of Saturdays final.