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BCHL  

Warriors win opener

Any fear Matthew Greenfield would be anything less than his normal self at start the Western Canada Cup can be put to rest.

Greenfield stopped all 30 shots he faced Saturday, as the Warriors opened the week-long event with a 3-0 win over the host Estevan Bruins.

The Parkland, Fla. native was hurt in game five of the BCHL final with Chilliwack. He left that game after the first period, and did not dress in the series clinching 4-2 win two nights later.

He was able to get on the ice when the team got to Estevan Thursday. He practiced Friday and suited up Saturday.

"He played good for us and, he ha to because of all the penalties," said Warriors head coach Rylan Ferster, whose team was shorthanded nine times compared with just two for the Bruins.

"Like the saying goes, your goaltender has to be your best penalty killer and he was that tonight."

Brett Mennear got the job done at the other end of the ice.

Mennear scored twice while Reed Gunville notched what proved to be the game winner. It was his first goal, and first point of the post season.

"It was nice for him to get that one in front of family and friends," said Ferster of Gunville's goal.

Lane Gilliss, in for the injured Quin Foreman, won the puck along the boards. It squirted free to Jared Marino who found Gunville in front for the game winner.

The goal came 4:07 into the second after a scoreless opening period.

Mennear gave the Warriors some insurance 63 seconds later when sent home a one-timer on a feed from Nick Rutigliano.

Jonathan Desbiens sent the puck behind the goal line to Rutigliano, who found Mennear for his third of the post season.

Mennear iced it when he deflected home a point shot midway through the third. Rutigliano and Scott Allen picked up assists.

"Every team is good here," said Ferster.

"Our penalty kill had to be sharp and our goalie was sharp."

As for the number of penalties the team took, Ferster said it's a huge concern.

"Is it us, I don't know," he said

In a short tournament like this, you get a win and move on.

In a short tournament like this, Ferster said you get a win, and move on.

That;s exactly what the Warriors will do. They'll move on to face the Alberta champion Brooks Bandits Sunday afternoon.

It will be the first game for Brooks.

The game faces off at 1 p.m. our time Sunday afternoon.

Despite the quick turnaround, Greenfield is expected to get the start.

The tournament opened up earlier in the day, then reigning RBC Cup champion Portage edged Melfort 2-1.

Over the first two games, five players have opened the game in the penalty box. Tournament rules state players cannot cross the centre line during pre-game warmups, or they will be hit with a 10-minute misconduct.



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