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Kangaroos defeat Ice Demons 9-1 at West Fraser Centre

Kitimat braved a snowy winter drive to Quesnel
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Kangaroos team president Tyler Coleman thanked the Ice Demons for coming out. “It was a heck of a trip to get down here in the weather that they did,” he said. (Rebecca Dyok photo)

A snowfall warning didn’t keep Quesnel hockey fans or out-of-town players at home.

The Quesnel Kangaroos defeated the Kitimat Ice Demons at the West Fraser Centre 9-1 on Saturday, Jan. 8.

Pressure was brought early in the first period with Kangaroos centre Jordan Draper scoring a quick goal at one minute 12 seconds in. Increasing the home team’s lead 3-0 before going into the second were Darby Madill and Marshall Brown.

There was no doubt that the Roos had control of the game, dominating the second period.

Eli Jarvis scored an impressive hockey goal known as “The Michigan” by scooping up the puck and tucking it in the top of the net from behind the goal.

The extraordinary play is credited by the University of Michigan’s Mike Legg, who competitively pulled it off at a 1996 NCAA tournament.

“It’s quite something, and I think that’s the second time he’s pulled it off in the last couple of weeks,” said Kangaroos team president Tyler Coleman.

“Eli’s a talented player, and we’re grateful to have him.”

Read More: CIHL games postponed in Quesnel and Williams Lake

Goals by Ryan Keis and Eric Galbraith had brought the score 6-1. The Ice Demons’ Ian Coleman scored the only goal for Kitimat with an assist by Lucas Aiken.

In the third period, the onslaught continued with Kitimat goalie Danyal Niro making 23 saves against Quesnel. However, the Ice Demons could not capitalize on chances falling 9-1 to the Kangaroos.

“Normally, I take losses hard but coming with nine guys I couldn’t be more proud of these guys,” said Kitimat head coach Donald Pacheco.

“They dug deep, and everybody worked their tails off—you can’t ask for anything more.”

Injuries, COVID-19 and more had meant many missing players from the team’s 40-man roster.

Pacheco maintained it would not have been fair for Quesnel not to have had a game.

“After hearing Terrace pulled out, we wanted to do the right thing and represent our community,and I think they were pretty happy with us at least showing up,” he said.

“There’s a bad snowstorm out there, and I give credit to the guys that wanted to be here.”

A weekend doubleheader in Williams Lake and Quesnel by the Terrace River Kings had been postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak.

The games have been rescheduled for Feb. 11 in Quesnel and Feb. 12 in Williams Lake.

Kitimat is scheduled to play Williams Lake at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 9.

Read More: Annual Winter Classic set to return for hockey action in Vanderhoof, Fort St. James



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rebecca.dyok@wltribune.com

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