PORT HARDY—Darryl Coon Sr. scored an unassisted power-play goal with 9:23 remaining to lift the Smokers into a 3-3 tie with the Oilers Sunday in the opening game of the North Island B League hockey season at Don Cruickshank Memorial Arena.
The Smokers jumped to a 2-0 lead on a pair of first-half goals by Evan Henderson, but the Oilers chipped away and moved ahead 3-2 early in the second period on Jordan Thompson's second goal of the game.
Carson Porter added a goal and an assist for the Oilers. The two squads will have a rematch Saturday at 9:15.
Meanwhile the North Island Commercial League kicks off its 2012-13 season this weekend with a pair of games. The Port Hardy Bulls and the Warriors will face off Friday at 9:15 in a matchup of cross-town rivals. The Bulls will then travel to Port McNeill Sunday to take on the reigning league champion Port McNeill Mustangs at 5:30 p.m.