The Red Deer Vipers started the Heritage Junior B Hockey League season on a strong note.
Red Deer earned a 3-2 victory on home ice over the new look Sylvan Lake Wranglers, who made the move from Blackfalds earlier this summer.
Cole Hardman, 18, scored his first career HJHL goal midway through the first period after Dylan Scheunert opened the scoring for Sylvan Lake.
Overager Easton Roberts buried his first of the season late in the frame to open up a 2-1 lead for Red Deer.
Justin Paarup notched his first of the night midway through the second. Austin Lawson got the Wranglers within a goal early in the third, but that was as close as the visitors got.
Justin Anderson stopped 32 shots in the victory and Steven Arthur turned aside 31 for the Wranglers.
Sunday, the Vipers completed the weekend sweep with a 2-0 win over Sylvan Lake.
Cannon Whitbread earned the shutout with 25 saves, while Keaton Sawicki notched the game-winning goal in the second period. Jarvis Gaume also buried his first HJHL goal in the third period and captain Justin Paarup had two assists in the win.
The Vipers will travel to Cochrane to take on the Generals on Sept. 27, before hosting the Stettler Lightning on Sept. 28. Sylvan Lake is on the road for a pair of contests.
Email sports tips to Byron Hackett
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