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Flames pull out win over N. Delta Devils

McLeod faces 85 shots as Ridge Meadows goes 1-1 in weekend games
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Wesley McLeod was busy in net for the Ridge Meadows Flames on the weekend, facing 85 shots as the junior B hockey club split a pair of games.

The Flames defeated the North Delta Devils 5-4 on Friday, then fell 3-2 to the North Vancouver Wolf Pack on Saturday.

McLeod was named the game’s first star Friday night as he faced 48 shots in the Flames’ win, not allowing a single even-strength goal.

McLeod earned third star honours Saturday night as he faced down 37 shots and took a 1-1 tie into the third period against the Wolf Pack.

“He’s giving us a chance to win every time we’re on the ice,” said Flames head coach and general manager Tavis Eaton. “The way he’s playing, he gives everyone in front of him confidence.”

While the Flames were busy in their own end over the weekend, the team’s offence could only muster a total of 40 shots over six periods of play.

“We seemed to look for the quality shots, and that worked in our favour Friday night,” Eaton said. “But would I like us to put more pucks on net? Of course I would.”

Danny Brandys had four points Friday night against the Devils to lead the Flames’ offence, while linemate Sean Pesut scored a pair of goals and had an assist. Matt Bissett had two assists.

Brandys opened the scoring in the first period and Pesut scored 15 seconds into the second period to give the Flames a two-goal lead.

The Devils drew within one less than a minute later before Paul Piluso scored to give the Flames a 3-1 lead.

The Devils scored their second power play goal of the night near the midway mark of the middle frame, and trailed by just a goal until Pesut scored his second goal of the night with less than 30 seconds to go in the period.

The Devils again managed to find the back of the net with the man advantage, as they tied the game with pair of power play goals with under five minutes to play.

However, Brandys potted a power play goal of his own with 90 seconds left, his second of the night, to seal the win for the Flames.

Eaton was happy with his team’s effort, but felt the players gave the Devils too many opportunities by taking bad penalties.

“We didn’t play disciplined,” said Eaton. “Every time we scored, we got ourselves into penalty trouble.

“It was like we were trying to give the game away.”

The Flames were again outshot Saturday night, this time by a 37-17 margin against  the North Vancouver Wolf Pack.

Rookie defenceman Nicholas Beck notched his first goal for the Flames to tie the game 1-1 midway through the first period.

The teams remained deadlocked until early in the third period, when a quick pair of goals by the Wolf Pack gave them a 3-1 lead.

Brandys scored shorthanded to bring the Flames within one, but that’s as close as they would get, despite pulling McLeod for the extra attacker with a minute left.

Eaton said while the team had a chance to win its second game in a row, something it hasn’t done yet this season, the Flames ran out of steam late in the game.

“We looked like a very tired hockey team in the third,” he said. “We definitely had a chance to win that hockey game.”

The Flames will have a chance to get a win over the Wolf Pack this Friday as they host the team at Planet Ice in Maple Ridge. Game time is 7:30 p.m.