The Lac la Hache Tomahawks and Quesnel Kangaroos had unfinished business on Nov. 8.
The Central Interior Hockey League (CIHL) matchup between the two clubs was their first meeting since a Oct. 25 contest – which Quesnel won 7-3 – that saw a number of fights break out and suspensions handed down.
Tomahawks coach Al Navrot called it a mugging.
“[Quesnel] crossed a line as far as I’m concerned. We went into the [Nov. 8] game loaded with tension and pretty high emotions.”
The Tomahawks came out of the game with a 6-3 win and two points.
The game was knotted 3-3 going into the third, where Lac la Hache ripped 20 shots on goal, found its scoring touch, and doubled the score for its second win of the season.
Five players scored for the Tomahawks: Anthony Sellars, Walter Schmidt, Robin Gilbert (2), Kyle Crump and Brad Crump.
Goalie William Sellars made 28 saves.
“We just kept focusing on staying positive and reducing the tension on the bench,” Navrot says. “We had a lot of chances. Finally the guys just started beating the goaltender.”
Lac la Hache (2-3) is behind the Williams Lake Stampeders (7-0) and Quesnel (4-4) in the CIHL East Division.
Meanwhile, in the West Division, the Terrace River Kings (5-1) lead the way, followed by the Smithers Steelheads (2-3), Kitimat Ice Demons (1-4-1) and Prince Rupert Rampage (1-5-1).
The Tomahawks face off in Williams Lake on Nov. 15.
“I think this is the best roster we ever had,” Navrot says. “We just need to build confidence and good team spirit – a common cause…You can have all kinds of skill, but you have to have that cohesion and that motivation to be successful.”
