Storm blow past North Stars in KJHL opener

Season 8 of the OCN Storm kicked off Friday night at Gordon Lathlin Memorial Centre with the home team dominating the Norway House North Stars. The Storm offense pounded the visiting goalkeeper with 58 shots on their way to a 6-1 victory.

Fans waiting for the first goal of the season did not have much of a wait as Logan MacDonald found the back of the net just 3:06 after opening faceoff. Blaine Dorian and Drayden Garrick assisted on the tally. Chavez Constant made it 2-0 at the 9:23 mark with assists to Noah Butler and newcomer Keith Monias who was acquired from the Cross Lake Islanders.

Fourth-year veteran Bryson Werbicki-Mallet scored the first of his two goals at 4:42 of the second frame to reward the home team, who had 35 shots on North Stars rookie goalie Dominic Bernetic in the first 40 minutes. Troy Head and Garrick assisted on the third goal of the game.

Werbicki-Mallet struck again at 14:03 of the third with assists from Monias and Butler. 11 minutes later Butler scored his first of the season teaming up again with Werbicki-Mallet and Monias making the score 5-1. Garrick, another former Cross Lake Islanders veteran, would add to his three-point night with a late goal with assists from Monias and Head.

FINAL: OCN Storm 6?@NHJrNorthStars 1? OCN begin their @KJHLca season with dominant victory at GLMC! #KJHL

— OCN Storm (@OCNStorm) October 12, 2019

OCN goaltender Braxton Constant played a solid game making 36 saves to earn the victory. Bernetic took the loss despite a 52-save effort for Norway House.

The Storm return to action next week with a three-game set beginning Thursday against the same North Stars. OCN will then travel to face newcomer NCN Flames Friday and Saturday.