Chris Clegg
NPHL.com Writer
Brett Norman and Liam Craig each scored twice as the DC Canucks began defence of their Lawrence Cup title – awarded to the NPHL team which places first overall in the standing – with a 7-2 home ice win over the Grimshaw Huskies Nov. 2.
DC never trailed, leading 2-0 after one period and 6-2 after two.
Trevor Dahlen, Dolan Bjornson and Riley Muise added other goals for DC. Bornson also added three assists.
Ty Wiebe and Brendan Hawryluk scored second period power play goals to account for GRIM’s scoring.
The win marked DC’s fourth straight opening night win, having defeated Grande Prairie, Fort St. John and Falher the last three seasons. It was also DC’s fifth straight home ice opening win.
GRIM had never opened a season in DC before Saturday night; DC did win their season opener vs GRIM 4-3 at GRIM in 2005.
DC is now an impressive 13-5 in season openers.
GRIM has alternated opening night losses and wins the last four season and have now on six of their last nine season openers.
Huskies 2 at Canucks 7
Saturday, Nov. 2
First period
1. DC, Riley Muise 1 (Jeff Taylor) 15:15
2. DC, Trevor Dahlen 1 (Liam Craig, Dolan Bjornson) 18:29
Penalty: Izaak Hudson GH (interference) 7:04.
Second period
3. DC, Liam Craig 1 (Dolan Bjornson) 9:06
4. DC, Liam Craig 2 (Dolan Bjornson, Kevin Swales) 10:15 (pp)
5. DC, Brett Norman 1 (Owen Laclare) 11:17 (sh)
6. GH, Ty Wiebe 1 (Bond Hawryluk, Brendan Hawryluk) 12:05 (pp)
7. DC, Brett Norman 2 (Braeden Allkins, Jonathan Jasper) 15:29
8. GH, Brendan Hawryluk 1 (Ty Wiebe, Bond Hawryluk) 18:49 (pp)
Penalties: Kevin Swales DC (cross-checking) 00:49, Lowen Lambert GH (hooking) 9:18, Riley Muise DC (roughing) 10:30, Lowen Lambert GH (slashing) 12:45, Davis Rose GH (roughing) and Jeff Taylor DC (holding, roughing) 17:06.
Third period
9. DC. Dolan Bjornson 1 (Levi George) 1:33
Penalties: Izaak Hudson GH (holding) and Dolan Bjornson DC (elbowing) 2:45, Ian Dickson GH (roughing) and Jonathan Jasper DC (cross-checking, misconduct) 8:02, Brendan Szmata GH (instigating, fighting major, game misconduct) and Levi George DC (spearing double minor, fighting major, game misconduct) 8:36.
Shots on goal:
Grimshaw 5 10 10 -25
Dawson Creek 20 17 22 -59
Goaltenders: Huskies, Riley Medves; Canucks, Dayton Lee.
Power Plays: GRIM 2-4; DC 1-3.
Penalties in Minutes: GRIM 29; DC 41.