Jayden Bexte of the Fort Macleod Mustangs tries to deke Kainai Chiefs goalie John North Peigan.
Fort Macleod Mustangs opened the Ranchland Hockey League season with an 11-3 win Saturday over the visiting Kainai Chiefs.
Brandon Aab scored three goals and set up two others as the Mustangs led from start to finish.
Robbie McLean, assisted by Tyler Melnyk, opened the scoring just 22 seconds into the game and Taylor McNeill scored an unassisted goal three minutes later to make it 2-0.
Tanner Stoven got Fort Macleod’s third goal 7 1/2 minutes into the opening period.
Jamelyn Weasel Head gave Kainai some life with just over five minutes left in the first period but it was short-lived as Melnyk, assisted by Matt Forchuk, and Aab scored back-to-back to make it 5-1 heading into the break.
Kevin McNab set up Aab for his second of the night less than two minutes into the second period and just over a minute later Stovin scored, assisted by Kent Broere.
Aab completed his hat trick, assisted by Aiden Kruger, to make it 8-1 Fort Macleod six minutes into the second period.
Kainai got goals from Easton Weasel Head and Trayton Tailfeathers to narrow the gap to 8-3.
McNab scored with 8 1/2 minutes left in the second and the Mustangs took a 9-3 lead into the break. Aab picked up the lone assist.
McNab got his second of the game two minutes into the third period, assisted by Aab and Jadon Porterfield.
Captain Justin Donahue scored with 6 1/2 minutes to play to put the finishing touches on an 11-3 Fort Macleod win.
Devon Hardie made 20 saves in goal for Fort Macleod.
Next action for the Mustangs is Saturday, Oct. 21 when they are in Lethbridge for a 7:30 p.m. game against the Lightning.
In the only other Ranchland game on the weekend, Lethbridge beat defending champion Siksika Buffaloes 10-2.
Brandon Aab of the Fort Macleod Mustangs beaks in alone on Kainai Chiefs goalie John North Peigan.
Jayden Bexte of the Fort Macleod Mustangs tries to deke Kainai Chiefs goalie John North Peigan.
Fort Macleod Mustangs goalie Devon Hardie reaches for the loose puck as Justin Donahue and Matt Forchuk sandwich Trygve Many Guns of the Kainai Chiefs.
Easton Weasel Head of the Kainai Chiefs and Aiden Kruger of the Fort Macleod Mustangs mix it up on Saturday night.
Trygve Many Guns of the Kainai Chiefs and Brandon Aab of the Fort Macleod Mustangs battle for the puck in Saturday’s game.
