The Meota Combines took to the ice last night against the Edam Three Stars for their first game of the SPHL season, winning 7-6 despite a late surge.
Edam got off to a strong start in their inaugural season, defeating the Spiritwood Timberwolves just under a week before travelling to the Civic Centre.
They carried the strong play into their tilt with the Combines, and got on the board early. From down low in the offensive zone, Mitch Wall fed a wide-open Damon Schaefer in the slot who hit the twine with a snap shot.
From then on, it was all Combines in the opening frame, who went on to score four unanswered goals.
A nice tic-tac-toe play set up the first mark for Meota. It only made sense that Brett Miller, who led the team with 41 points in 18 games last season, started the rally on the power play. His cross crease pass found Jesse Burt on the right hash mark, delivering a shot past ex-Combines netminder Quinton Gauthier.
Michael Pylypow, who was second in points during the 2014-2015 campaign with 29 tallies, scored his first of the season, just minutes after. Branden Sentes and Tyson Knight had the helpers.
Jesse Burt later returned the favour to Brett Miller, assisting in his goal and second point of the game, making it 3-1.
The captain, Tyson Knight, corralled a one time feed from Pylypow late in the first frame to give the Combines a three-goal advantage. Knight would finish the game with one goal and four assists.
Daxen Collins, Bo Gervais, and Branden Sentes also registered a goal, putting the game out of reach.
Dallas Wright did just enough in net to hold off a rally from the Three Stars, propelling the Combines to their first win of the campaign.
On deck for Meota is a date with the Hafford Hawks next Saturday at the Civic Centre.
