BURSTIt’s been an up-and-down season for the Hazelton Wolverines so far this year.
This past weekend, fresh off upsetting the defending champion Terrace River Kings and edging their way into second place in the Central Interior Hockey League, the Wolverines rolled into Smithers for what should have been a relatively easy win.
The Steelheads had different ideas, though. They came out firing in the first period and claimed a 2-0 advantage on goals by Levi Olson and Dylan Oud.
Nathan Soucie added to the lead in the second period before Shea Baker scored Hazelton’s only goal of the game.
A scoreless third period made the final 3-1.
The win for Smithers put them within striking range of fifth place in the seven-team CIHL, just two points behind the Prince Rupert Rampage.
For Hazelton, it meant a short-lived stint in second place.
The previous weekend, they had edged the River Kings out of second place with a commanding 8-4 win in Terrace’s barn.
Quesnel leads the league with 16 points through eight games, holding an 8–2 record, followed by Terrace in second with 12 points from eight games.
Hazelton sits in third place with 11 points through nine games.
Williams Lake has played 10 games with 10 points and occupies the fourth spot.
Prince Rupert is two points behind in fifth place at eight points.
Smithers holds sixth place with six points, while Kitimat rounds out the standings without a win so far this season through nine games.