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The 2008-09 Bud Light West Coast Senior Hockey League season officially got underway this past weekend. The 2007-08 regular season champs welcomed the Corner Brook Royals, while the 2007-08 league champion Deer Lake Red Wings hosted the Grand Falls-Windsor Cataracts.

On Saturday night, the Caribous edged the Royals 6-5 in a shoot-out. Rookie Chris Mooney led the way for the Caribous with 3 goals, along with the shoot-out winner while Andrew Pearcey added 3 helpers and Mark Chaplin had a goal and two assists. Royals' veteran Darren Colbourne put forth a 4-point effort with two goals and two assists.

In Deer Lake, fans were also treated to a close match-up on Saturday night.The much anticipated arrival of Red Wings' newcomer Harold Druken didn't disappoint. Druken had a goal and an assist, and along with a 3-point night for Mark Robinson, helped lead the Red Wings to a 4-3 victory over the visiting Cataracts.

On Sunday afternoon, the Cataracts jumped out to a commanding lead and held on for a convincing 7-4 win over the Red Wings. In Clarenville, the Caribous defeated the Royals 5-2 in a heated, penalty-filled game. Mark Chaplin had a hatrick for the host Caribous, along with another 3-point performance from line mates Chris Mooney and Andrew Pearcey. Newcomer Royals goalie Andrew Sim was stellar in net, facing 46 shots and stopping 42. Jason Churchill of the Caribous faced 37 shots, turning away 35.