CLARENVILLE, N.L. — The Clarenville Ford Caribous held their first game of 2018 on Saturday night, defeating the Gander Flyers 5-3.
The first goal of the game was a shorthanded marker by Caribou Ryan Desrosiers, assisted by captain Dustin Russell.
The ‘Bous followed it up with a power play goal, scored by Keith Delaney, assisted by Justin Pender and Brandon Roach.
Brad Crann and Kevin Reid added one goal each before the end of the first period to extend Clarenville’s lead to 4-0.
In the second, the Caribous continued the onslaught, with a goal from new Caribou Chris Sparkes.
Flyer Brandon Hynes eventually broke goaltender Tyler Whiffen’s shutout bid, and Patrick O’Keefe added another making it 5-2.
In the third, thanks to a five-on-three power play, the Flyers pulled within two goals after Thomas Hedges scored with 12 minutes remaining in the game.
However, they would fail to come any closer, and Clarenville hung on for a 6-3 final score.
The two teams will play again on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. at the Eastlink Events Centre, as the Flyers try and hang on to first place in the Central West Senior Hockey League standings.
