In what’s shaping up to be one of their best seasons on record, the Williams Lake Stampeders improved to 14 wins and one loss Friday after a 6-1 home-ice victory over the Lac La Hache Tomahawks.
With just one game left in their Central Interior Hockey League campaign the Stamps have clinched the East Division title and are guaranteed to be at least tied for first place in the league following the 16-game regular season.
The Tomahawks, meanwhile, finished last in the division with three wins and 12 losses and currently sit one point ahead of the last-place West Division Prince Rupert Rampage (2-12-1).
On Friday night at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex, playing in front of a packed house, Travis Sanderson opened the scoring for Williams Lake.
Two consecutive power play goals late in the second period from Dylan Richardson and Andrew Fisher extended the Stamps’ lead to 3-0, before Nathan Zurak and Sanderson, with his second of the night, gave the lakecity squad a 5-0 lead heading into the break.
Lac La Hache sniper Wilfred Robbins, on a setup from Francis Johnson, got the Tomahawks on the board just one minute into the final frame, before Darcy Flaherty closed out the scoring with 40 seconds left in the contest for the Stampeders.
Penalties plagued the Tomahawks throughout the game, especially in the second period where the Stampeders were able to take advantage and put the game out of reach for their southern rivals.
Shots on goal were also lopsided as Williams Lake netminder Justin Foote faced just 18 shots, while Tomahawks’ goaltender Willie Sellars attempted to thwart a 57-shot barrage.
The two teams will face off again this weekend where the Tomahawks will be looking for a win at home this Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Rolf Zeis Memorial Arena. Puck drop is 7:30 p.m.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
The Smithers Steelheads and the Kitimat Ice Demons split a pair of weekend West Division tilts. Smithers skated away with a 7-4 win Saturday, before being edged 8-7 the following day.
Afters Friday’s loss to Williams Lake, the Tomahawks continued their journey north to take on the Quesnel Kangaroos. There, the ‘Roos tripled up their opponents in a 12-4 victory.
