The Williams Lake Stampeders took advantage of a short-benched Smithers Steelheads squad on Thanksgiving Sunday, hammering the visiting club 10-0 in its home opener at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex.
Matt Brenner made 18 saves between the pipes for the Stampeders to earn the shutout.
On the offensive end, Tyrel Lucas notched a hat trick and recorded three assists for a six-point evening, while Jassi Sangha tallied a goal and six assists for a seven-point afternoon.
Other goal scorers were Tye Moses (1-0-1), Nathan Zurak (1-1-2), Aaron Zurak (1-1-2), Andrew Fisher (1-1-2) and David Gore (2-3-5).
Smithers, for its part, travelled with just 11 players during the weekend, and also lost a 9-4 decision to Quesnel the previous evening.
With the win Williams Lake improves to 2-0 on the Central Interior Hockey League campaign after recording an overtime road victory in Quesnel the previous weekend.
The Stampeders will remain on home ice for its next three games before departing on a three-game road trip.
This Saturday, Oct. 15, Williams Lake hosts the Quesnel Kangaroos in a rematch of its week-one contest and will again host Quesnel the following Saturday, Oct. 22.
Puck drop for both games is 7:30 p.m. at the CMRC.
