The Castlegar Rebels opened the KIJHL regular season with a 7-3 win over Grand Forks on Friday and a 2-1 loss on the road against Spokane on Saturday.
Jaedon Little had two goals and an assist for the Rebels in Friday’s match, while Darby Berg and Tyren Grimsdale each contributed one goal and two assists.
Justin Fallia made 30 saves for the Rebels, who outshot the Border Bruins 39-30.
The following night in Spokane, Ethan Lawcynzki made 56 saves in the Rebels’ net, but the offence could only muster a lone goal from Gavyn Entzminger, which tied the score in the second. However, Spokane quickly responded with the go-ahead tally and then shut the door. The shots were 58-23 in Spokane’s favour.
The Rebels will play their next five games on the road, starting with Princeton on Friday. They don’t return home until Oct. 5 to face Revelstoke.
In the early season standings, the Rebels are in a three-way tie with Beaver Valley and Grand Forks for second in the Neil Murdoch Division. All three teams are two points back of Spokane, although Castlegar and Beaver Valley each have a game in hand.
