The Westlock Warriors remain hot to start their North Central Hockey League season, sinking the Sylvan Lake Pirates 4-2 at the Rotary Spirit Centre Oct. 27.
“It was a good battle, though we were a bit sloppy at times,” said coach Mike Ivery. “But we make it count when we needed to. We should have had about six or seven more goals, but a win is a win. Everyone stepped up — Scotty Ivey was really big for us, he scored two goals and had two assists. Karmen Ward has been just a rock on the back end for us.”
Ivey noted the early start was a great boost for the team’s confidence, though there was still room for improvement. The team sits with a 3-1 mark in the NCHL.
“We need to work on D-zone stuff and moving the puck quicker, but it’s a pretty good start for us,” he said. “We’re quite happy with how things are going so far. It’s nice to get contributions from everyone.”
The Warriors broadsided the Pirates early on after Scott Ivey caught a pass from Kyle Hodge three minutes into the game and put it into the net.
However, Sylvan Lake was able to even the score on a power play 10 minutes later, but Scott Ivey reclaimed the lead for the Warriors before the first period buzzer sounded with 1:41 left after scooping up a pass from Taylor Heck, courtesy of Karmen Ward.
Sylvan Lake fired a shot off the bow in the last two minutes of the second period to tie the game up 2-2, but Westlock was nowhere near done for the night.
Five minutes into third period action, Scott Ivey relayed a pass to Zachary Schram, who found Nathan Brown in a perfect position to put the puck between the goal posts.
Sylvan Lake had a few chances to come back in it throughout the third period, but Warriors goaltender Graeme Harrington was solid in the crease, blocking shots from all angles. The Pirates eventually pulled their goaltender to try and create an opportunity, but the plan backfired as Scott Ivey found Mike Ivey, who scored the empty netter and sent the Pirates to Davy Jones’ locker.
“Our goaltender was great tonight, there were a couple big breakaways where he saved the day,” said coach Ivey. “We were able to use that as momentum and a couple of the guys stepped up big.”
This coming weekend the Warriors will host the undefeated Eckville Eagles Nov. 3 —the puck drops at 8:30 p.m.
“They’re physical and talented, so I expect it will be a pretty good game,” said Ivey.
