The Northwest Giants won the battle for first place in the B.C. major midget hockey league with a weekend sweep in Prince George.
The Giants swept a two-game set with the Cariboo Cougars, winning 1-0 on Saturday and 5-1 on Sunday to move three points ahead of second-place Northeast Chiefs at the Christmas break.
Eric Margo got the game-winner and the one and only tally on Saturday midway through the second period.
Margo also scored a pair of back-to-back markers in the Sunday win, including one of the team's two shorthanded counters in the final frame.
Jarid Lukosevicius got the gamewinner from Mitch Crisanti, who was in on the Giants' first three goals of the game. Lukosevicius also scored his second goal of the game shorthanded.
"The kids played pretty well. It was probably the best they've played this season," said secondyear Giants head coach Todd Harkins. "When you get on a road trip like this, it's great to see how they come together as a team."
With first place dangling in front of them like a carrot, it was easy for the teen boys to get motivated as well," Harkins added.
"Prince George is very physical and hard working. We pushed back and every time we pushed back, they laid off a little bit," said Harkins.
With the win, the Giants moved to 15 wins and 35 points, while the Chiefs also registered their 15th win following a two-game sweep over Victoria' South Island squad.
Cariboo and the Valley West Hawks are third and fourth, respectively, both with 14 wins.
The Greater Vancouver Canadians are tied with the Hawks with 28 points.
The Giants lead the league in goals allowed with a miniscule 42 goals against in just 23 games.
Harkins believes this season's team is deeper than last year's group that made it all the way to the Telus Cup.
This year, the goal is no different, he said.
"I expect a lot and want them to know it's a long process. The journey is trying to get to the Telus Cup," Harkins added.
The Giants will play a make-up game versus South Island at the Burnaby Winter Club on Jan. 6.
