The Macdonald Swarm erupted for five first-period goals and never looked back in a 13-1 rout of the Red River Mudbugs on Friday night at Sanford Recreation Centre in Hanover Tache Junior Hockey League action.
Macdonald scored twice in a 13-second span early to seize control, with Carson Schnell netting the game-winner at 7:07 after Cole Kendall opened the scoring at 6:54. The Swarm carried a 5-0 lead into the first intermission and continued to pile on in the second, striking six more times to put the game out of reach.
Kayden Robertson led the offensive outburst with a hat trick and an assist, scoring twice in the opening period and adding another early in the second. Tyler Van de Velde finished with two goals and an assist, including a shorthanded marker late in the second period. Baylen Dilk added a pair of goals in the third, one coming on the power play.
Macdonald went 3-for-5 on the power play, while Red River was held scoreless on four man-advantage opportunities. The Swarm also added a shorthanded goal and outshot the Mudbugs consistently throughout the contest.
Ethan Wiebe earned the win in goal for Macdonald, stopping 23 of 24 shots. Red River starter Tyler Blanchette allowed eight goals on 36 shots over 40 minutes, while Connor Parago surrendered five goals on 21 shots in relief and took the loss. Gavin Wiens scored the lone goal for Red River midway through the third period.
The win keeps Macdonald perfect atop the HTJHL standings at 24-0, giving the Swarm 48 points and a league-best goal differential through 24 games.
Macdonald continues its homestand Tuesday, Jan. 27, visiting Ste. Anne at Maurice Chaput Arena before returning to Sanford Recreation Centre to host Warren on Friday, Jan. 30, and East St. Paul on Sunday, Feb. 1.
