KENSINGTON – The Arsenault’s Fish Mart Western Red Wings have an opportunity to widen their lead atop the Island Junior Hockey League standings on Tuesday.
The Abram-Village-based Red Wings will host the second-place Kensington Moase Plumbing and Heating Vipers at the Evangeline Recreation Centre at 7 p.m. The Red Wings posted a solid 4-1 road victory over the Vipers in the first half of a home-and-series between the two arch-rivals on Sunday night, and have an opportunity to open up a 10-point lead with a regulation-time win Tuesday.
Western, the two-time defending league champions, sports a record of 13-3-0 (won-lost-overtime losses) while the Vipers, who have played three fewer games, are 9-4-0.
The two teams are scheduled to meet in another home-and-home series over the Christmas holidays that will result in four head-to-head clashes in 15 days. The annual Boxing Day match goes in Kensington at 2 p.m., and the Red Wings and Vipers will renew acquaintances back in Abram-Village on Dec. 30 at 2:15 p.m.
Oliver strong
Before a big crowd at Credit Union Centre in Kensington on Sunday, Red Wings goaltender Luke Oliver turned in a solid 34-save performance, including stopping all 15 directed his way in the second period.
Offensively, rookie forward Chandler Wood scored twice while Isaac Knox added a goal and an assist to lead the Red Wings. Alex Morrissey contributed a single tally while other helpers went to Calvin McRae, Tristan Cahill, Silas Handrahan, Evan Millman and Connor Morrissey.
Kyle Pinksen’s unassisted goal at 11:50 of the third period spoiled Oliver’s shutout bid.
The Red Wings led 1-0 after the opening period, and extended that margin to 4-0 following 40 minutes.
Cameron Visser started in goal for the Vipers, and allowed three goals on 27 shots in 29 minutes. Caleb Coyle came on in relief and stopped 16 of 17 shots over the final 31 minutes.
