The Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) Flames lost as many games in one weekend as they had all season on a road trip to take on the Peguis Juniors Jan. 18-19.
Trent North had the Flames’ only goal in a 5-1 loss Saturday evening, scoring shorthanded late in the first period, but NCN was already trailing 4-0 by the time he scored. Nathaniel Murdock had two goals for Peguis in the first period, with Tyrone Spence adding a power play goal. Sundance Paul had opened the scoring less than five minutes into the game while the Juniors were shorthanded.
The teams played a scoreless second period and Ethan Daniels scored the game’s final goal in the third period.
Shots in the game were 47-34 for Peguis and Braedin Melsted took the loss in net.
The Flames fared better in the first period on Sunday afternoon, emerging from the opening 20 minutes down by one goal, thanks to a pair of tallies by North. Spence, Daniels and Shane Bear scored for the Juniors, who then went on to outscore NCN 4-2 in the middle frame and 5-1 in the final 20 minutes for a 12-5 victory. Spence finished with five goals for Peguis, while Daniels had three. Paul, Travis McPherson and Quinton Flett had the other goals for the Juniors.
North ended the game with a hat trick, while Jerome Linklater and Albert Berard added singles.
Shots on goal were 38-34 for the Flames, who got 22 saves from Melsted in a losing cause.
The Flames, who remain in first place in the Keystone Junior Hockey League with a one-point advantage over the Opaskwayak Cree Nation Storm, are back on home ice Jan. 24-25 in Nelson House and Thompson, when they host the Storm.
