The Kitimat Ice Demons reversed last night's 3-2 score o the Smithers Steelheads this afternoon. This was a much better game and the Demons essentially dominated - outshooting the Steelheads approximately 35-18 in the game. After losing last night 3-2, the Demons needed a two-goal win to take back the Northern Challenge Cup, last won by Smithers.

Appropriately, the young Steelheads were able to get back into the game in the third, after trailing 3-1 at the end of the second...precipitating an exciting 14-playet shootout, which saw the Ice Demons finally take the edge on a goal by Geoff Morgan..

The Ice Demons, who sagged a bit last night, looked a lot more like themselves in the second game and led 2 - 0 at the end of the first period on goals by Greg Sabey (Jeff Midenberger), and Brando Wakita (Jeff Mildenberger).

Kyle Boudreault (Jeff Mildenberger, Geoff Morgan) made it 3-0 before Randall Groot got one back to bring the Steelies some extra hope. With 10 minutes left in the third, Ryan Devries scored from Ryan Green and Cody Sutherland to make the score 3-2. That held up though regular time and the series went to a shootout where the goaltenders shone.

Tyler Perrault had the good luck off the crossbar to stop Kitimat's first shooter, Jeff Mildenberger.

Brett Vilness then stopped Ryan Devries, Derek Wakita beat Perreault, but missed the net. Vilness saved a shot by Matt Arnold and Perrault dropped on a five-hole slider from Terry Whelan. Vilness made a save on Darryl Young. Perrault returned the favor with a pad stop on Ian Coleman. Kellin Brown was stopped by Vilness.

Finally, the Demons took the lead on a deke backhander by Geoff Morgan, but Russ Blanchard beat Vilness to keep the shootout going. Brandon Wakita scored, but Randall Groot neutralized that goal, beating Vilness cleanly.

Ice Demons' defenseman Jeff Baker gave home team the edge again with a deke and shot to the back of the net and Vilness finally ended the shootout with a good save on Eric Smith.

All in all two fun games that show that these two teams will be among the ones to beat in the West Division.

Actually, just getting the report back to the top of the list -- not too worried about Dawgbalz...I figure his bark is worse than his bite.

Very friendly weekend with the rest of Smithers here in Kitimat, tho!

Sounds like Perrault made quite an impact being out shot that bad maybe he can be a legitimate force in this league despite what the critics say. Congrats to the kid. No tilts ?

A big, tall standup goalie with really good reflexes. I had the Steelheads a little tired today and the Ice Demons a little better fired up over a not-so-good performance Saturday. Terry Whelan was back in the lineup today and we were rewarded by being able to juggle some lines to people more used to playing together. But, sticking with Perreault, he did get a lot of shots and had some crossbars and uprights ringing in his ears. In one pp effort Mildenberger hit a post, Morgan hit two and then deflected a goal off Boudreault, all inside a minute.

Brett Vilness was also at his best today, and made some really good saves that could have easily changed the final result. All in all, just the shootout was great enterainment...

Ask any goaltender, they'll tell you the posts are part of their equipment and the only reason the guy hit the post was that hey were in position :-)

Sounds like a couple of good games to start off the season