Just like inside the penalty box Friday night at the Cariboo Memorial Complex, there isn’t much room to breath atop the standings of the Central Interior Hockey League.
After a penalty-filled contest that saw 11 players between the Williams Lake Stampeders and the Lac La Hache Tomahawks crammed inside the sin bin and an 8-1 Williams Lake victory, just two points separate the East-leading Stampeders and the West-division leaders, the Smithers Steelheads.
Through 14 games the Stampeders have amassed an 11-win, three-loss record, while the Steelheads, with 13 games played, have 10 wins and three losses.
With the end of the 16-game regular season looming, the regular season title is either team’s to claim.
On Friday, during the Stampeders “Stamp out Hunger” campaign for the Salvation Army food bank, Williams Lake notched six unanswered goals before the Tomahawks (0-13) got on the board.
Kaleb Boyle, Brady Fuller, Caleb Roy, Tyrel Lucas (2G) and David Gore all scored, before the Tomahawks’ Richard Macdonald managed to slip one past Williams Lake netminder Justin Foote.
Kyler Wilkinson and Jassi Sangha rounded out the scoring for the Stampeders.
In total, 82 minutes in penalties were dolled out on the evening.
The Stampeders also held their quad draw and a turkey toss, where Lorne Doerkson was announced as the ATV winner.
The teams both have a short break over the holidays before returning to the ice on Sunday, Jan. 3 where Williams Lake will travel to Lac La Hache for a 1 p.m. puck drop.
For more on the Stampeders visit www.wlstampeders.com.