The Ridge Meadows Flames lost 4-2 the Langley Trappers on Friday night at Planet Ice, but got back in the win column courtesy the Surrey Knights on Saturday in an 8-1 blowout.
The Junior B squad now has had a nice run of five wins and one loss in December, which has seen them climb into second place in the Harold Brittain Conference with a record of 17-12-0-3.
Against the Knights Nicholas Amsler led the offence with a goal and four assists for five points, while his linemate Jesse Nelson had two goals and two assists.
Flames GM Derek Bedard said Amsler has been among the hottest Flames.
“He’s been playing really well, and he’s on a 12-game points streak,” he said.
Eric Bourhill had two goals and an assist, while his linemate Tetsuya Prior and Jackson O’Brien both had a goal and an assist. Dion Fowler also scored.
Eric Clark got the win in goal, saving 21 of 22 shots he faced.
In Friday’s game the Trappers won the special teams battle, as they went three-for-three with the man advantage, while killing four of five Flames power plays.
Amsler and Bourhill scored, while Prior and Jarod McKay each had two assists.
Prior has steadily climbed the league scoring standings, and now sits in third place with 53, including 19 goals, points in 32 games.
The last time a Flames player was that high in the scoring race was Maple Ridge’s own Danny Brandys in the 2010-2011 season, when he finished second, one point out of the lead, with 72 points in 46 games.
Bourhill missed some playing time, but is in the top 10 in points per game with 16 goals and 34 points in just 22 games.
The Flames will take part in the 2019 PJHL Winter Classic at Minoru Arena, designed to showcase young talent for scouts from junior A, major junior and university programs. They will play the Trappers on Jan. 4 at 10 a.m. and the Abbotsford Pilots on Jan. 5 there, in regular season games.
Bedard said the Winter Classic is a nice break in the regular season routine, has a tournament feel, and there are always scouts who want to speak with some of the Flames about their future plans.
• The Flames next home game will be Jan. 11. They will take on the Grandview Steelers, at 7:30 p.m., at Planet Ice.