The Battleford seniors started their SPHL season on the wrong foot Saturday night.
After a successful 2014-2015 campaign where they won 12 of 18 games, the Blues lost their opener to the Hafford Hawks, 8-4.
Nathan Linnell of Hafford started the scoring in the first, with Darren Delainey registering the assist.
Delainey later added a tally to give the Hawks a two-goal advantage.
The Beaver Blues would answer with Brent Salzl, who scored his first of the season, thirteen minutes into the tilt. The forward was the Blues’ second leading scorer just a year ago, tallying 22 points in 14 games. Keegan Sparrow, who put up 30 points during the 2014-2015 season, collaborated on the goal with Scott Maunula.
The Hafford Hawks ended up running away with the win in the following 40 minutes, notching six more goals.
Roddy Hoffman, along with Jordan Keller and Scott Maunula of the Blues, got off to a hot start to the young season, putting up a goal and an assist each.
Jon Hosegood also pitched in with two helpers.
Battleford is at home against the Edam Three Stars next Friday. Puck drop is 8 pm.
