The Red Deer Optimist Chiefs had a strong start to the Mac’s Midget AAA Tournament in Calgary Wednesday.
Red Deer rolled past the Beardy’s Blackhawks of Saskatchewan 5-2 to open round-robin play with a victory.
Josh Zinger and Brendan McBride opened the scoring for Red Deer in the first before Deegan Mofford added a power-play tally in the second.
Beardy’s cut the deficit just past the midway point of the third, but Jayden Henderson responded to restore the three-goal advantage for Red Deer. Sean Michaelvich added an empty-net goal late for the Optimist Chiefs.
Logan Breen stopped 30 shots to earn the win in net for Red Deer. Forward Brett Meerman, with three assists, was the star of the game.
The Optimist Chiefs had an off-day at the tournament Thursday and will resume play at 11:45 a.m. on Friday against the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds.
Saturday they’ll play the Calgary Northstars and will conclude round-robin play Sunday against the Notre Dame Hounds.
Email sports tips to Byron Hackett
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