By Jim Bailey
Times Sports Editor
The Beaver Valley Nitehawks began their 30th season with a pair of decisive victories on the weekend.
The Nitehawks beat the Grand Forks Border Bruins 13-0 on Friday night in Grand Forks and again on Saturday with a 6-2 win at home.
The line of Ryan Edwards, Chris Derochie and 16-year-old rookie Craig Martin scorched the Bruins, accounting for 10 of the 19 Nitehawks goals.
Edwards netted a natural hat trick in the 6-2 win, while Martin added a goal and three assists and Derochie had a four-point night in the first game with two goals and two assists.
The Nitehawks’ coaching staff didn’t expect the return of either Edwards or Derochie from the Trail Smoke Eaters camp but to get two local boys back in a Nitehawks jersey is a huge bonus.
“They’re our leaders and they’re happy to be back,” said assistant coach Kris Boyce. “They see the talent that our team has right now, so we’re really going to be shooting for a championship this year and I think they know we have a good shot of doing that.”
Another surprise was that Boyce was unable to take a spot behind the bench because the Cowichan Valley Capitals still owned his rights.
“Friday when we went to Grand Forks, Jonesy (coach Terry Jones) told me – he was trying to card me and he couldn’t,” said Boyce.
The Capitals still owned the rights to Boyce from when he played with them over five years ago. It never occurred to Boyce that it would be an issue.
Martin, meanwhile, played with the Trail Midget Rep last season and after two games is leading the team in scoring with two goals and seven assists. The other 16-year-old, Scott Davidson, also contributed with a pair of goals Friday night.
“Our expectations for both of them this year is right up there. They’re going to play lots and they have a lot of responsibility but I think they can handle it,” added Boyce.
Grand Forks opened the scoring in the first minute but a great effort from Arie Postmus tied the game midway through the first period.
Edwards scored two in the second to put the Hawks up 3-1 before completing the natural hat trick in the third period.
Martin added another after a slick pass from Edwards. Keanan Patershuck rounded out the scoring when he fought off a Grand Forks defender, and made a nice move to score on a breakaway for the sixth goal late in the third.
Boyce awaits his release from the Capitals and should be behind the bench for the Nitehawks next game in Spokane on Friday.