Chris Clegg
NPHL.com Writer
A short lineup did not deter the Dawson Creek Canucks from winning their sixth game in seven starts this NPHL season.
Matt Schmermund scored the hat trick as DC won in GRIM 7-3 Saturday night. With the win, DC [6-1-0-0] climbed back into first place in the West Division, one point ahead of idle Grande Prairie.
It was GRIM’s first loss [4-1-0-1] in regulation this season.
Christian Kenny’s goal opened the scoring and Kurt Konopelka’s power play goal gave GRIM a 2-0 lead after one period.
However, DC rallied in the second by outscoring GRIM 3-0 and outshooting them 18-8. Schmermund scored this first of three goals, while Spencer Gover and Jeff Taylor added others.
Ty Wiebe tied the game at the 3:01 mark of the third period.
After that, however, it was all DC. Dolan Bjornson scored the eventual game-winner at 4:28 on a PP. Schmermund then scored short-handed, then at even strength and DC led 6-3. Riley Muise added the final goal with 3:50 remaining.
Riley Muise added four assists and Taylor three in the win for DC.
DC has now won five of its seven games at GRIM and now holds a 6-5 lead overall in games in GRIM in their history.
Canucks 7 at Huskies 3
Saturday, Dec. 1
First period
1. GH, Christian Kenny 2 (Brendan Hawryluk, Bond Hawryluk) 16:01
2. GH, Kurt Konopelka 1 (Mark Simpson, Cole Diewert) 17:22 (pp)
Penalties: Cole Diewert GRIM (cross-checking) 8:04, Josh Round DC (cross-checking, served by Kyler Krantz) 16:33.
Second period
3. DC, Matt Schmermund 7 (Brett Norman, Riley Muise) 7:29
4. DC, Spencer Gover 1 (Riley Muise, Tyler Reay) 11:54
5. DC, Jeff Taylor 4 (Riley Muise, Kevin Swales) 18:03
Penalties: Matt Flette GRIM (interference) 1:52, Brett Norman DC (cross-checking) 9:43, Riley Muise DC (holding) 14:36.
Third period
6. GRIM, Ty Wiebe 6 (Brendan Hawryluk) 3:01
7. DC, Dolan Bjornson 3 (Jeff Taylor, Kevin Swales) 4:28 (pp)
8. DC, Matt Schmermund 8 (unassisted) 9:02 (sh)
9. DC, Matt Schmermund 9 (Riley Muise, Jeff Taylor) 14:26
10. DC, Riley Muise 2 (Jeff Taylor, Brett Norman) 16:10
Penalties: Sheldon Szmata GRIM (tripping) 4:20, Kevin Swales DC (interference) 7:30, Jason Higson DC (check to the head minor, misconduct) 10:06, Dolan Bjornson DC (slashing) 18:28.
Shots on goal:
Dawson Creek 9 18 11 -38
Grimshaw 10 8 8 -26 Goaltenders: Canucks, Josh Round; Huskies, Bud Dyck.
Power Plays: DC 1-3; GRIM 1-6.
Penalties in Minutes: DC 22; GRIM 6.