LANTZ: The East Hants Ryson Construction Jr C Penguins exploded for seven goals in the first period of their home and season opener on Saturday evening in Lantz, but had to hold on for a close 9-7 win over a hard charging Sackville Knights squad.
East Hants scored seven times and gave up two in the first period before the Knights rallied in the final 40 minutes. The score was 5-0 with about six minutes left in the opening stanza.
The Penguins then saw Sackville score three times in the middle period and twice in the third period.
It was an empty net goal that secured the victory for East Hants.
A ceremonial puck drop took place before the game with Terry Isenor doing the honours marking the start of the 10th year of Jr C hockey in East Hants. Team official John A. MacDonald was the emcee for the ceremony.
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Braden Martin and Connor Lloyd each had a hat trick for the Penguins.
Jack Miller; Dylan Rafuse; and Chase McDonald supplied single tallies in the win.
Assists went to Rafuse and Lloyd each with three; while Keaton Kaizer and Ethan Hines contributed two helpers apiece.
Single assists were credited to McDonald; Duncan MacMullin; Noah Sutherland; and Hudson Forward;
Nolan McLauchlan made 29 of 36 saves in goal for the victory. East Hants wired 45 shots on the Sackville net.
On Sunday, the Pens travelled to Eastern Shore where they earned a 6-0 shutout of the Thunder, with Gabe Rendell stopping all shots that came his way.
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