FORT ST. JOHN -- The Fort St. John Flyers got on a roll and didn't let up in Tuesday's 10-2 win over the Prince George Mohawks in the opening game of the Savage Cup.
Donny Lloyd netted the hometown team's first goal just 43 seconds into the game. With additional goals by Adam Horst, Tyler Loney, Paul Wiens and Kimbi Daniels, the Flyers led 5-0 at the end of the first period.
Starting Mohawks goalie Alex Wright was pulled after the Flyers' third goal and replaced with Guy Walch, who stayed in net for the rest of the game. Rod Stevens and Jeff Shipton added to the Flyers' total before the Mohawks' Jamie Molendyk got the team's first goal of the tournament past Flyers netminder Troy Hunt. Wiens, Shipton and Jeff Fast capped off Flyers scoring. Nick Matte scored the Mohawks' second goal with 1:52 left in the second frame.
Neither team managed a goal in the third period, though the Flyers took 18 shots on net while the Mohawks took four. The Flyers outshot the Mohawks 61-12.
The Flyers' hometown advantage extended to their crowded bench, while the Mohawks were missing about seven players. Prince George coach Grant Williams was expecting two more players for Wednesday night's game against the Penticton Vees and four or five more on Friday.
But the Mohawks weren't concerned with Tuesday's game.
"We knew going in that Saturday night is the one that's going to be for all the marbles - that's what we're all geared for," Williams said. "There's no question that we're going to have our hands full. Fort St. John is an outstanding hockey team and we're going to have to play absolutely at our best to win."
The Prince George-Penticton score was not available at press time. The Flyers and Vees play tonight.
