Steelheads drop one in East to Luckies while shorthanded Ice Demons edge River Kings in shootout to extend West lead

The Kitimat Ice Demons, minus about six of their leading players, still managed to shut out the Terrace River Kings for 58 minutes before giving up a power play tying goal with just less than 90 seconds left in the game. But the Demons scored the only goal in a six man shoot-out to take two points and extend their lead atop the West Division to 27 points. Meanwhile, the Houston Luckies, with some stellar goaltending by Don Kenzel stalled the Smithers Steelheads' progress at the top of the East Division, with a 4-3 win. While goaltending made a difference, Derek Dinelle's return to join brother, Blair and Jon Marren allowed the line to combine for nine points to win the squeaker in Steelhead territory. Don Kenzel stole the show, stopping 42 Shots to Jamie Deba's 24. The Steelheads controlled much of the play but could not score on Kenzel. Two goals were disallowed for the Luckies, the first one when the net was dislodged and the second was directed with a skate. There was not much of an argument on that one. Steelheads started the scoring with Ian Smith assisted by (Matt Arnold), Luckies answered back with one by Alonzo Slaney assisted by both Dinelles. Five minor penalties were called in the period, two to the Steelheads and three on the Luckies. Shots on goal were 13 for the Fish and 7 for the Luckies. Period ended 1-1 Luckies started the scoring in the second with a Blair Dinelle goal, assisted by (Jason Bassani), Steelheads answered back with two of their own. The second goal was scored by Tyler Pederson (Ty Koldyk, Blake Parker) the third by Dylan Becker ( Kyle Young, Randal Groot). Again five penalties called in the second, two for Steelheads and three on the Luckies. Shots on goal were 17 for the fish and eight for the Luckies. Period ended 3-2 Steelheads. In the third Steelheads seemed in control until Luckies tied it up, again a goal by Derek Dinelle (Blair Dinelle, Jon Moran). Steelheads responded but again the Luckies scored a go-ahead goal by Blair Dinelle (Derek Dinelle, Jon Moran). No penalties in the third, shots on goal were 12 for the Fish and 9 for the Luckies. Final shot on goal were 42-24 for the Steelheads. Final score 4-3 Luckies. The Luckies now lead the season series three games to two, with the final meeting scheduled for Jan. 10. In Terrace, the Ice Demons, missing most of the season's top scorers, Hewitson, Whelan, Wakita, Bossence, Markwart and Brady, got an early goal from Jeff Mildenberger (Scott McGregor, Gerard Baldo) at the six minute mark of the first and that was all the scoring until Terrace scrambled a power play goal behind Jamie Moran to force a shoot-out. Garret Kerr scored the goal, with Adam Buick in the penalty box for a slash. The Ice Demons out-shot the River Kings 37-12 in the game. In the shootout Jeff Mildenberger beat Brad Norwood with a backhand goal. Norwood stopped Gerard and Andre Baldo while Jamie Moran dealt efficiently with all three Terrace shots, by Tristan Murray, Brad Owen and Steve Cullis. The Ice Demons have one game remaining on their schedule, when they host the Prince Rupert Rampage, January 17. In the two weekend games at Prince Rupert, the Hazelton Wolverines triumphed in both ends of the double header, winning 4-3 on Saturday night and 4-3 in a shootout on Sunday after a 3-3 tie in regular time. The win dropped the Rampage into the basement of the West Division with a total of five points on the season so far, while Hazelton increased their points total to eight. The Rampage have four games left and the Wolverines three.

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