FLAMES 0-FOR-2 AT KEYSTONE CUP
4/11/2002 - Sports Link Manitoba

The Nelson House NCN Flames of the Northwest Junior "B" Hockey League are behind the eight ball early at the Keystone Cup Western Canadian Junior "B" Hockey Championships being held in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan this weekend.

The Flames were dumped 6-3 by the Spruce Grove Regals of Alberta in their opening game, and must face the host Southern Rebels later this evening for their second game of the day. The Rebels, who are strong candidates to win their second straight crown, dumped the Saskatoon Chiefs 6-2 in the tournament's first game of the day.

Matt Harder was a Flame killer for the Regals scoring three goals. Singles went to Nolan Schuster, Kevin George, and Ray Smegal.

Frankie Dicks, Marlin Rain, and Shawn Libbey scored for Nelson House.

Mike Malchuk was beaten six times on 27-shots; while at the other end Jeff Henkel made 18-saves to pace the Regals.

In other games played on the opening day, it was Sicamous Eagles of British Columbia throttling Northern Ontario's Aguasabon River Rats by a score of 9-1; while Spruce Grove made it 2-for-2 in defeating Saskatoon 6-4. The Chiefs drop to 0-and-2.

In Thursday's late game, the Rebels blasted the Flames 13-0; holding Nelson House to just 10-shots on goal.

Devon Watteyne, Greg Lasko, and Chase Shafer all scored two goals to pace Assiniboia (2-and-0). Jereme Tandler, Brett Molde, Tyler Selk, Sheldon Erfle, Brett Annetts, Rockie Zinger, and Jordan Zaremba also scored for the winners. Derek Collier got the shutout.

Phil Poulin gave up 12-goals on 39-shots over two periods before giving way to Mike Malchuk, who made 13-saves on 14-shots.

Here are the standings after day one:

Assiniboia (2-and-0)
Spruce Grove (2-and-0)
Sicamous (1-and-0)
Aguasabon (0-and-1)
Saskatoon (0-and-2)
Nelson House (0-and-2)