The Hazelton Wolverines stormed to an 8-3 win over the Kitimat Ice Demons at Tamitik Arena on Jan. 4, marking a thrilling start to the year for the visiting team.
Kitimat opened the scoring just one minute into the game when Zachary Quinlan capitalized on a powerplay opportunity to give the Ice Demons a 1-0 lead. Hazelton answered swiftly, with Marcus Atchison finding the back of the net at 3:16 to tie the game. The Wolverines struck again at 7:58 when Drew Fudger scored to secure a 2-1 lead by the end of the first period.
The second period saw the Wolverines dominate, scoring four unanswered goals. At 5:40, Fudger tallied his second goal of the night, extending Hazelton’s lead to 3-1. Minutes later, during a powerplay at 8:31, Fudger completed his hat trick with a precise shot. Jared Meers added to the total at 10:22, and Hunter Johnson chipped in at 12:03 to give Hazelton a commanding 6-1 advantage heading into the third period.
Kitimat managed to reduce the deficit early in the final frame, with Tanner Daum scoring at 00:17. However, Hazelton quickly responded. Drew Fudger added his fourth goal of the game at 9:36, and Meers netted his second at 13:51, sealing the 8-3 victory.
