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Flames beat Cross Lake twice in Nelson House

A week after experiencing back-to-back losses for the first time this season on a road trip to Peguis, the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) Flames were back on home ice for a pair of games in Nelson House Jan.
Michael Venne was one of three Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation Flames players to record hat tricks durin
Michael Venne was one of three Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation Flames players to record hat tricks during a pair of victories over the Cross Lake Islanders on home ice in Nelson House Jan. 24-25.

A week after experiencing back-to-back losses for the first time this season on a road trip to Peguis, the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) Flames were back on home ice for a pair of games in Nelson House Jan. 24-25, handily defeating the Cross Lake Islanders 12-2 and 9-6 to increase their lead in the league standings over the second-place Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) Storm to three points.

The Flames played the games without their captain Keith Blacksmith, who was badly burned in a house fire in Thompson Jan. 24.

Michael Venne and Henry Muchikekwanape each had hat tricks in the 12-2 win Jan. 24, while Trent North added a pair and Jonathan Saunders, Lance Laycock, Keistin Saunders and Keenan Keeper all contributed singles. Kadin Ross and Tyler Monias had the goals for the Islanders, who were outshot 44-27. Braedin Melsted made 25 saves to get the win in the Flames’ net.

Michael Markus was the offensive leader in the 9-6 win the next day, with Jonathan Saunders, Venne, Jerome Linklater, Charles Monger, Laycock and Keeper adding one goal apiece. Ross had a pair for Cross Lake, with Logan Evans, Dennis Scatch, Derian Garrioch, and Justin Dorion notching singles. Shots were 39-21 for the Flames, who got 15 saves from Kruz Mitchell in net for the win.

The Flames take on the Storm in OCN Feb. 6 before returning to Thompson to host the Norway House North Stars Feb. 7, then playing them in Nelson House the next day.

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