The Ridge Meadows Flames scored twice in the third period Sunday to edge the host Grandview Steelers 3-2 and grab an early lead in the Harold Brittain Conference.
Michael Bell netted the tying goal 1:15 after Grandview scored to take a 2-1 lead.
Grant Rostvig then scored the winner, from Dale Howell, during a four-on-four with two minutes remaining.
Prior to Bell’s goal, Flames head coach Jaime Fiset said a Grandview player, after scoring, “chirped” his team’s bench.
“It woke us up.”
Bell then stepped on the ice and tied the game.
“Michael Bell had a really strong game Sunday,” Fiset said. “He’s been a very good role model.”
Fiset was also impressed with his top line of Rostvig, Danny Wilson and Dale Howell.
The trio combined for five points in Sunday’s win.
“They really set the tone.”
Fiset liked how much his team possessed the puck against Grandview, that the players were fast in transition and didn’t get hemmed in their own end much. But he’d like to see them shoot more.
He’s also like to see them take fewer penalties, as the Flames were hurt by them in a 2-1 loss to the North Vancouver Wolf Pack on Friday at Planet Ice in Maple Ridge.
While the Flames managed to kill off a few five-on-three situations, Fiset would rather they didn’t have to as often.
He’s been satisfied with the goaltending from both Kurt Klimek and Tyler Read. Klimek made 34 saves in the 2-1 loss, while Read saved 30 of 32 shots in the win.
“I think both goalies did an outstanding job,” Fiset said.
The 3-2 Flames host the Mission City Outlaws on Friday, 7:30 p.m.