The Saugeen Shores Winterhawks are back to .500 on the season following a victory over the Lucknow Lancers on Friday night.
Brent MacDermid had a goal and an assist as the Winterhawks doubled up the Lancers 4-2.
Lucknow debuted new goaltender Tyler Kuehl and he was rudely greeted by the Winterhawks, who put their first shot past him when Andy Mitchell tipped home a Trevor Smith point shot just 16 seconds into the game.
Josh Sturrock returned to the Winterhawks net and was solid in the first period, turning away eight Lucknow shots as things got chippy towards the end of the period.
After a post-whistle scrum drew four penalties (two aside), Smith and Lucknow's Chad Simpson dropped the gloves in a rare fight, with both receiving major penalties and game misconducts.
The Winterhawks struck early in the 2nd period on a two-man advantage, with MacDermid firing a wrist shot past Kuehl to give the Winterhawks a 2-0 lead.
Five minutes later, Curtis Johnston stepped in over the Lucknow line and blasted a slapshot past Kuehl for a 3-0 Winterhawks lead.
The Winterhawks continued to pour it on, with Greg Wardell finishing off a nifty passing play from his knees to make it 4-0, with assists to Brendon Haefling and MacDermid.
The Lancers would not go away quietly, as they got on the board at 6:25 of the 3rd period, with Brett Phillips picking the top corner on Sturrock on a delayed penalty.
Sturrock would later come up big for the Winterhawks as he snapped the glove on a Tanner Simpson penalty shot.
Lucknow's Brett Binning would add another at 17:16 of the 3rd, but that's as close as they would get, as the Winterhawks held on for the 4-2 win.
Haefling was named the Wismer House Player of the Game for picking up two assists while splitting duties as both a forward and defenceman during the game.
Sturrock made 25 saves for the win.
The win improves the Winterhawks record to 6-6-0 on the season, one point back of the Ripley Wolves for 4th place and the final "AA" playoff spot in the North Division, as Ripley fell 6-4 in Durham on Friday night.
The Winterhawks are back in action tonight (Saturday) as they head to Shelburne to face the Muskies at 8:00 p.m.
with files from winterhawks.net
