After dropping their first home game last Saturday the Smithers Steelheads skated to a 9-2 victory over the Hazelton Wolverines Nov. 2
After a scoreless first period, in which Hazelton’s netminder was hot, the Steelheads opened the scoring less than a minute into the second period, with Jonathan Creswell finding the back of the net.
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Hazelton responded with a goal by centreman Louis Parent shortly after to briefly tie up the game.
The Steelheads then opened the floodgates, scoring five goals over the rest of the period which saw the home team lead a number of odd-man rushes against Hazelton.
They would tally another three goals in the third, while Hazelton would net an additional goal, for a 9-2 final.
Coach and Steelheads player Eric Tevely said the win was a result of three lines which are beginning to click, adding the nature of the league means sometimes the rosters vary from game to game.
“Each game it seems like we have a few different guys in our lineup and that’s due to guys being away for work or family.”
Tevely said he feels this factor can be tough but adds the team is dealing with it well and really beginning to mesh.
“I think give it a few more games [and] we’re really going to start to come together.
“Last night we caught a glimpse of it, I don’t know what the final shots were but I think we had around 70 shots on Hazelton — we were in control the whole game.”
Steelheads captain Randall Groot, Jonathan Creswell and Michael Lynch finished the game with two goals apiece.
The win brings the Steelheads to a .500 2-2 record.
The team is back in the Central Interior Hockey League (CIHL) after disbanding after the 2016-2017 season due to a lack of players.
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They last won the CIHL championship in the 2015-2016 season.
The Steelheads next game is Nov. 16 in Smithers against the Terrace River Kings.
trevor.hewitt@interior-news.com
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