The Williams Lake Stampeders split a pair of weekend games against the Lac La Hache Tomahawks.
Friday, at Lac La Hache’s Rolf Zeis Memorial Arena, the Stampeders froze up, literally, as both teams braved near -20 C temperatures inside the rink.
The Tomahawks proved to be the hardier of the two clubs on the night, skating to a 5-3 victory on the strength of a three-goal second period in front of a capacity crowd.
Williams Lake’s Jared Kohlen opened the scoring first, before Lac La Hache’s Robin Gilbert found the twine on Stamps’ netminder Duncan Peeman to tie the contest at 1-1. Wilfred Robbins then beat Tomahawks’ goaltender Willie Sellars to make it 2-1 Williams Lake late in the first.
Just 34 seconds into the second period Gilbert potted his second of the night, followed by two more markers from Kelly William and Wade Balbirmie to put the T-hawks up 4-2 heading into the final frame.
Scoring in the third for the Tomahawks was Tye Moses, while Nathan ΩZurak added another for Williams Lake in the losing effort.
Saturday, back on home ice at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex, the Stamps rebounded with a 5-2 win against the very same club they lost to the night before.
Scoring for Williams Lake in the win were Francis Johnson (2), Matt Lees (2) and Robbins.
Gilbert and Moses were the lone goal scorers for the Tomahawks.
Williams Lake goalie Justin Foote picked up the win stopping 32 of 34 shots on the night while Sellars turned aside 25 of 30.
Following the weekend split Williams Lake (6-4-0) remains in second place in the Central Interior Hockey League’s East Division and is six points back of the first-placed Quesnel Kangaroos (8-2-2).
With Friday’s win Lac La Hache improves to 4-6-0 on the campaign and sits fourth in the east, two points back of the third-place Omineca Ice.
Williams Lake is now preparing for a pair of away games this weekend. Friday, Nov. 26 Williams Lake takes on the Houston Luckies; Saturday, the Stamps are in action against the Omineca Ice.
The Stampeders next home game is Dec. 3 against the Kangaroos. Game time is 7:30 p.m.