It’s Ian and Eli Jarvis’ world, and we’re just living in it.
The Quesnel Kangaroos linemates and brothers combined for 10 points in a 10-2 romp of the Hazelton Wolverines in Central Interior Hockey League action at the West Fraser Centre on Jan. 22.
Jordan Draper, the third member of their line, got in on the action as well, with five points of his own.
“Just roll them, send them out let them do their thing,” Kangaroos coach Harley Gilks said with a chuckle on his coaching strategy after the game.
“They’ve all played enough hockey, and they’re talented enough to make it happen.”
The scoring outburst included a great individual effort from Ian. After Hazelton scored to make it 2-2 early in the second, Ian received a pass from Eli, went in all alone on Hazelton goalie Keano Wilson, avoided a pokecheck, and calmly tucked it behind an outstretched pad and into the net.
Eli would get his own goal a few moments later, hustling to turn a two-on-two rush into a three-on-two, and he made no mistake, doubling Quesnel’s lead. With that goal, the rout was on.
Eli finished the game with two goals and two assists, and Ian picking up four assists and another goal to go along with his second period tally.
After leading 2-1 on the strength of markers from Eli and d-man Alek Gibbs at the end of the first period, Quesnel would hold a 7-2 advantage heading into the final frame, easily out-shooting Hazelton in both periods, and putting Wilson under siege.
Quesnel’s forecheck was buzzing all game, with defenceman standing up at the blueline throughout the game to keep possession in the offensive zone. At times it was a shooting gallery for the home side, with Wilson making several great saves to limit the damage the damage Quesnel was able to do.
“We’ve been working on our forechecking,” Gilks said, noting the Kangaroos like to set up in an “aggressive” 1-2-2 while pressuring the opposition.
“The last three games have proven forechecking the way we’re doing is working.”
Quesnel once again held a big advantage in skaters. While the home side were able to field a full bench, Hazelton only brought 12 skaters to the game, not helped by players going down with injuries.
Fatigue set in for the Wolverines as the game went on, with Quesnel drawing penalty after penalty in the second half of the game.
The Roos are in action tomorrow when they travel to Vanderhoof to take on the Nechako North Stars in a make-up game from last week.
They’ll next play at the West Fraser Centre on Feb. 11, another make-up game, this time against Terrace.
The Kangaroos honoured the Lhtako Dene Nation with a ceremonial puck drop pre-game.
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: cassidy.dankochik@quesnelobserver.com
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cassidy.dankochik@quesnelobserver.com
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