The Westlock Senior ‘AA’ Warriors opened their 2014-2015 North Central Hockey League Season season by trouncing the Slave Lake Winterhawks 5-0 on Friday night at the Rotary Spirit Centre.
“It was a good start to a new season,” said coach Joe Kuhar. “It was a hard-fought game. The boys battled through it and persevered.”
The Warriors jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in their match against Slave Lake in the first period.
Alex Belzevick, Zac Schram and Levis Monfette all scored goals, with Nathan Brown and, Schram, Mike Podruzny, Belzevick, Mike Ivey and Dave Carr all netting assists.
Falling behind by three goals seem to deflate Slave Lake’s offence. “We got up on them and that’s what made the difference,” said Kuhar.
Westlock’s remaining two goals were scored at 9:02 in the second period by Evan Kuhar, with Schram and Brown assisting, and at 17:03 in the third period by Alex Orr, with Mason Lyle and Belzevick assisting.
Belzevick and Schram were the leading scorers with one goal and two assists each.
Marcus Johnson was in goal for the Warriors and netted his first shutout of the year, blocking 26 all shots on goal.
Things got a little rough in the third period with penalties piling up on both sides. Kuhar said the score could have been a little higher but the Warriors let off a little bit.
“At the same time, they took it to us as hard as they could and we persevered,” he said.
With their season-opener now in the books, the Warriors have two games this upcoming weekend.
Kuhar said the Warriors are in Devon this Friday, Oct. 24. They return to the Westlock Rotary Spirit Centre for a home match with Rocky Mountain House this Saturday, Oct. 25, at 8:30 p.m.
