The Whitehorse Huskies kicked off the Coy Cup tournament yesterday with a win – and a shot of confidence.

The team, sponsored by Nuway Crushing Ltd., downed the Smithers Steelheads 6-5 to open the four-team event in Terrace, B.C.

Smithers won the seven-team Central Interior Hockey League title earlier this month.

The Huskies’ win was fuelled largely by Polar Power, with four goals coming off the sticks of University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks alumni.

Kevin Petovello scored twice and linemate Derek Klassen added a powerplay goal, while Adam Henderson got the game-winner and was named Huskies’ top dog post-game.

Colin Dendys and Kane Dawe added singles while CIHL MVP Brendan DeVries scored four of the Steelheads’ five goals.

So far, so good, coach Mike Tuton told the Star this morning.

“I think the five-on-five play favoured us very heavily,” Tuton said. “They had a tough time answering our three, four lines that were just coming at them.”

He hopes his players can limit the penalties, however, as Smithers did score three powerplay goals.

The Huskies will face the host Terrace River Kings tonight at 7 p.m., then the Fort St. John Flyers tomorrow at 4.

The River Kings and Flyers tied 3-3 last night.

Tuton said Brad Gustafson will start tonight’s game as the goalie returns from a broken finger.

At the conclusion of the round robin, the last-place team will be eliminated.

The top-ranked team receives a bye to Saturday’s final, while the second- and third-ranked teams will play a semifinal Friday night.

Games are being live-streamed at http://citywestchannel10.ca/live-stream-player/.