The Williams Lake Stampeders remain unbeaten in the Central Interior Hockey League after cruising to a 5-2 victory over the Prince Rupert Rampage Saturday night in Williams Lake at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex.
Back from a hiatus from the club last season, Dylan Richardson (1-2-3) opened the scoring for the Stampeders near the nine-minute mark of the first period, before assistant captain Stu Sasges (1-0-1) put Williams Lake up 2-0 before the end of the frame.
In the second period David Gore (2-1-3) recorded the first of his two goals of a three-point night, before Matt Lees (1-0-1) tallied his 14th goal in five games on Prince Rupert netminder Jarrod Hildebrandt to go up 4-0 heading into the third period.
Gore added his second on a power play just three minutes into the frame, before Prince Rupert showed signs of life as Jared Meers scored twice — once near the midway point of the frame and once with four minutes remaining — in the 5-2 Stampeders win.
Justin Foote recorded the win in goal for Williams Lake stopping 35 of 37 shots.
Williams Lake now improves to seven wins and no losses on the CIHL campaign and has a six-point lead over the Quesnel Kangaroos for first place in the CIHL’s East Division.
The Lac La Hache Tomahawks, meanwhile, made up some ground on the Kangaroos in the division this weekend with a 6-3 win on Saturday night in Quesnel.
The Tomahawks currently have two wins and three losses and sit four points back of the ‘Roos, however, have played three less games.
In the West Division the Terrace River Kings hold a commanding lead over the top spot with five wins and one loss, while the Smithers Steelheads occupy second place in the division with two wins and three losses.
The Rampage slipped to one win and five losses following Saturday night’s defeat.
Before the game both teams paid their respects during a Remembrance Day ceremony that included several local cadets.
Next up for the Stampeders is a date with southern rivals the Tomahawks this Saturday, Nov. 15, in Williams Lake.
Puck drop is 7:30 p.m. at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex.