The Castlegar Rebels opened the Western International Junior Hockey League regular season with a weekend split, earning an overtime win before falling by a goal Saturday.
Castlegar edged the Creston Valley Thunder 6-5 in overtime Friday, before dropping a 6-5 decision to the 100 Mile House Wranglers on Saturday.
Brodie Kenney led the way in Friday’s season opener, completing a hat trick with the overtime winner 1:13 into the extra period.
The Rebels jumped out to a 2-0 lead against Creston Valley on goals from Benjamin Sveistrup and Avery Lozinski, but the Thunder answered with three straight to take a 3-2 lead into the first intermission.
Kenney tied the game just 21 seconds into the second before Creston Valley regained the lead later in the period.
Kenney scored his second of the night 26 seconds into the third, but Matthew Roy restored the Thunder’s advantage at 14:18.
Trent Van Blyderveen tied the game 5-5 with 2:33 remaining, setting the stage for Kenney’s overtime winner.
Castlegar outshot Creston Valley 59-37, with Rebels goaltender Alexander Ptak making 32 saves for the win.
The Rebels returned to action Saturday against 100 Mile House.
The teams traded goals in a busy opening period, with Kenney, Jordan Brunham and Lozinski scoring for Castlegar as the game entered the first intermission tied 3-3.
Aaron Christian scored for the Rebels in the second, but the Wranglers struck twice to take a 5-4 advantage into the third.
Trey Alphonse gave 100 Mile House a two-goal cushion with 1:55 remaining in regulation. Sveistrup scored short-handed with eight seconds left, but the Rebels could not find the equalizer.
Oakley Armstrong stopped 35 of 41 shots for Castlegar in the loss.
Kenney finished the opening weekend with four goals, including Friday’s overtime winner, while Sveistrup recorded two goals and two assists.
The Rebels finished their opening weekend with a 1-1 record. Castlegar will host Chase Heat on Friday, Sept. 25.
