The expectation around the Meadow Lake Stampeders, is that they should be near the top of the North Saskatchewan River Hockey League standings when all is said and done.
They started the season off on the right track with wins Friday and Saturday.
Friday, the Stampeders beat Paradise Hill 9-2. The offence came from all sources for Meadow Lake, as Steven Spencer and Darren Caron had three points each, former Battlefords North Star Cole Fern had two points along with Calvin Fiddler, Dustin Gorst and Mitch Paramchuck. Seven other skates earned a single point in the win in Paradise Hill.
The next night, the Stampeders held their home opener against the Turtleford Tigers. The game was tied 1-1 after the first period with Jordan Oystrick and Luke Zbaraschuk finding the back of the net. In the second, the teams traded goals again, as Gorst and Fern scored for Meadow Lake while Kyle Dodgson and Adam Grey scored for the Tigers. In the third, Fern and Fiddler scored on Chad Terres while Travis Harrington allowed just one Tigers' goal from Darren Delainey helping Meadow Lake win 5-4.
The Stampeders sit on top of the standings with a quick 2-0 start to the season, as do the defending league champion St. Walburg Eagles. The Eagles won 5-1 at home to Maidstone Saturday for their second win of the season. Bryan Bridges earned the win for the Eagles while Zach Wourms, Taylor Thiessen, Duane Larre, Jordan Fuder and Scott Thompson tallied for the Eagles.
The other game Saturday night was a 9-1 win for Wilkie over Edam. Wilkie's goalie, Jared Herle was less than two minutes away from a shutout, as Edam scored a shorthanded goal late in the third period. Mike Sittler, Rick Cey and Barrett Penner led Wilkie's offence with a combined 10 points. Mike Nelson and Troy Watt also had three-point nights for the Outlaws.
The other game on the weekend was a 7-4 win for Maidstone over Edam coming Friday night. Rory Gregoire, Brett Harrison, Jared Rutley and Jason Roberts all had at least three points each for Maidstone in the win. O'Neil Baillargeon, Brendan Weitzel and Joel Budd tallied for the 3 Stars.
It will be another busy weekend in the NSRHL, as there are three games schedule for Friday and three for Saturday.
