Williams Lake Stampeders notched two wins against the Nechako North Stars the weekend of January 18.
"We played pretty well at both games, especially at home," said coach Derrick Walters. "All in all it was a pretty good effort."
The Stamps travelled to play the North Stars in Fort St. James on Saturday, Jan. 17, winning 8-4.
Scoring for the Stamps were Brendan Pigeon, with a hat trick, Jaydon Merrit who scored two, Mike Keyes, Dawson Foerster and Corbin Marcotte each got one.
On Sunday the Stamps played the North Stars on home ice at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex winning 9-0. Goals scored came from Cory Loring, Luke Batemen, Marcotte, Nick Fidanza, Dayton Long, Andrew Hodder who scored two, Pigeon and Foerster.
During the home game, Darian Louie made his first-ever CIHL debut as goal tender for the Stamps, so achieving a shut-out was "awesome," said Walters.
Louie played the whole game and had the opportunity because one of the team's goalies, Ryan Balbirnie, was injured at the game in Quesnel on Friday, Jan. 10.
"He tore a ligament in his ankle so he's going to be out for a month," Walters said of Balbirnie. "We needed an extra goalie to help Zach Straza during this stretch. Darian was third goalie on the roster so he got to get into his first game action at home. It was nice."
Balbirnie is doing some physical rehab and it is hoped he will recuperate in time for the playoffs, said the coach.
Pigeon is in the second spot for points in the league, with a total of 17 goals and 24 assists this season so far.
Born in Williams Lake, the 23-year-old joined the Stamps for the 2021-2022 season. Prior to that he played the West Kelowna Warriors, Salmon Arm Silverbacks and the Cariboo Cougars.
The Stamps are on the road this coming weekend with games in Prince Rupert and Terrace.
"This is the last stretch with three games left to go. If we want a chance to beat Quesnel in the division we've got to win those two games up in there," Walters said. "It will be a big test for us, but we know what we've got to do."
On Friday, Jan. 31, the Stamps face-off against the Quesnel Kangaroos in Williams Lake.
"This stretch should be fun," Walters quipped.
