A hat trick by Ashlynne Moore helped the Da Beers to a 7-4 win over the Talons as the North Island Co-ed Hockey League kicked off play Saturday at Chilton Regional Arena in Port McNeill and at Don Cruickshank Memorial Arena in Port Hardy.
The two Port McNeill teams are among four in the newly formed league, which includes the Wildtimers of Port Hardy and the Flyers of Port McNeill.
In Port McNeill, the Wildtimers and Flyers skated to a 3-3 draw in the other game, with the Wildtimers’ Michel Therrien scoring back-to-back goals in the second period to help erase a 3-1 Flyers lead.
“Both games were penalty free and were a very successful lead off for the league,” said Russ Smith, goaltender for the Wildtimers.
Da Beers 7,
Talons 4
In Port Hardy, Steve Verbrugge had a pair of goals and Roseanne Marra added a score for Da Beers, who were backed by Matt Miller in net.
Gary McHady picked up an assist for the winners.
Shay Peterson had a goal and an assist for the Talons. Brad Baron also found the net, and Lana Larson chipped in an assist.
Bob Wells was in goal for the Talons.
Flyers 3, Wildtimers 3
The Flyers jumped out early on a pair of first-period goals by Reed Allen, and Jordan Lambert’s second-period goal pushed the lead to 3-1.
Mike Olney put the Wildtimers on the board with a first-period goal to keep things close, and Therrien tied it in the second and final period with his scores off assists from Steph Laming and Marnie Ordano.
Smith was in goal for the Wildtimers while Mitchell Miller manned the net for the Flyers.
The teams resume play this Saturday, with the Flyers and Talons doing battle at 4:45 p.m. in Port Hardy and the Wildtimers taking on Da Beers beginning at 8 p.m. in Port McNeill.
