The Dawson Creek Kodiaks played in front of their home crowd for the first time in more than a year Friday, unable to pick up the win with their brand new name at home.
The Kodiaks played tough all game against their rivals from the North, but lost to the Fort St. John Huskies 4-3.
The Huskies scored three minutes into the game, and had control early. However, things flipped when Kodiaks scored a pair of powerplay goals in the second half of the first, from Tighe Strauss and Nolan Bailey, the latter a breakaway goal as well. The Huskies tied the game before the period ended, but the Kodiaks had shown that they were a feisty team that wouldn't go down easy.
The second period started out disjointed, with neither team able to get possession or generate good scoring chances. Halfway through the frame, the Huskies scored to take the lead, and would add another, before Auzyn Corr scored in the final minute of the second to make it 4-3 Huskies after two.
The Kodiaks had four powerplays, but couldn't find the back of the net, losing the season opener 4-3. About 140 fans turned out to the game to cheer on their team, and they'll have another chance Saturday night, September 25, when the Kodiaks host the Sexsmith Vipers at 8 p.m., a team Dawson Creek beat in exhibition play last week.
SCOREBOARD
1st Period
Fort St. John, Nathan Brownlee (unassisted) — 3:44
Dawson Creek, Tighe Strauss (Brandon Rowley, Jack Corr) powerplay — 10:32
Dawson Creek, Nolan Bailey (unassisted) powerplay — 16:55
Fort St. John, Conrad Wiebe (Coby Jones, Logan Kimmie) — 18:30
2nd Period
Fort St. John, Logan Kimmie (Nathan Brownlee, Conrad Wiebe) powerplay — 9:50
Fort St, John, Kurtis Lee (Jared Winkel) — 18:12
Dawson Creek, Auzyn Corr (Brandon Rowley, Nolan Krane) — 19:29
3rd Period
No scoring
Powerplay
Huskies 1/8
Kodiaks 2/6
Shots
Huskies 33
Kodiaks 19
Goalies
Fort St. John, Tyler McArthur 16/19
Dawson Creek, Cory Ross 29/33
Email sports reporter Dillon Giancola at sports@ahnfsj.ca
