On the strength of a Darrell Zol hat trick, the Arlington notched its first win of the season in Trail Commercial Hockey League (TCHL) action last week.
The Big A surprised second-place Rex Hotel Red Army skating to a 6-5 win at the Cominco Arena Friday but fell short the next night in a close 6-4 loss to Firebird.
The Arlington kept it close with Firebird, but TCHL leading scorer Craig Clare delivered a five-point night to pace the Birds to the win. Tied at two after the first period, Zol would put the Arlington up one two minutes into the second frame. However, Firebird responded with two quick goals from Mike Williams and Travis Drake before the end of the period.
Eric Hill scored just under three minutes in to put Firebird up by two early in the third, before Vlanich cut the lead to 5-4. However, Clare sniped his third goal of the game and 22nd of the season late to seal the 6-4 win. Drake had a goal and three assists for the Firebird while Drake replied with the same four-point night for Arlington.
In the win against the Rex, Zol scored the first two goals of the game and added another in the second period in addition to two assists for a five-point night of his own. Teaming up with Matt Proulx and Jake Vlanich, the trio accounted for 12 points in the win with Vlanich potting two goals and three assists and Proulx. a goal and one helper.
In the only other match of the week Re/Max doubled up OK Tire 6-3. After falling behind 2-1 in the first, a pair of goals by Graham Proulx in the second would put Re/Max up for good as Jim Lennox also knocked in two before Dave Eccles rounded out the scoring in the third.
Re/Max continues to lead the league with 21 points, followed by the Rex and OK Tire each with 14 points.