The Pembroke Lumber Kings chalked up a pair of wins to get the new season off to a great start this weekend.

The Kings edged the Kemptville 73's 4-3 and demolished the Brockville Braves 5-1 in the Central Canada Hockey League's Fall Showcase, which was hosted by Kanata.

On Saturday night, Pembroke took an early 2-0 lead over the 73's in the opening period, relying on the strength of their power play and penalty killing units. First, while Pembroke enjoyed the man advantage, Emilio Audi scored mid way through the period, with the able assistance of teammates JJ Hart and Stephen Hrehoriak.

Then, after Hrehoriak got on the wrong side of a holding call, leaving the Kings one short on the ice, Patrice Wren stepped up unassisted to double the score.

Kemptville came back early in the second period, taking advantage of a holding call on Audi to score on the power play. Joey House narrowed the score to 2-1, with assists going to Lucas Gonu and Blaine Byron.

Less than 20 seconds before the buzzer, the Kings’ Keegan Harper scored on the power play to make it 3-1, with Jordan Larson and Brian Hennessey picking up assists on the play.

A late tripping call on Ben Dalpe seconds after that goal gave Kemptville the man advantage at the start of the third period, which they were quick to capitalize on, as Stephen Cooney scored solo to narrow the gap to 3-2.

Pembroke widened the gap to two goals just past the 10 minute mark, as Dalpe scored the King’s fourth goal of the evening, with the backing of Audi and Hart, who earned his second assist of the game.

Kemptville kept the pressure on, leading to a goal nearly three minutes after. Cooney again scored to narrow the score to within one point, with Joey House earned the assist. But it would prove to be the last goal of the game, as Pembroke held on to the 4-3 lead to game’s end.

Kings netminder Andy Munroe turned away 31 shots for the win.

Hrehoriak was named the game's first star, and Hart the third, while Kemptville's Cooney received the second star for his two goal performance.

The Kings then wrapped up their Showcase appearance by facing off against the Braves Sunday afternoon.

Again, the Kings seized control early, scoring three unanswered goals to take a big lead barely 26 seconds into the second period.

In the first period, the power play was again productive for Pembroke, as Hennessey did the honours by scoring, with assists going to Wren and Harper.

Then, Jordan Larson scored the second goal of the first period, with the assistance of Ryan Hunter and Hennessey.

Getting the first goal of the second period was Brendan McGuire, backed on the play by Timmy Moore and Tyler Gaudet.

A high sticking call on Hart cost Pembroke a shutout early in the second, as Brockville's Shane Riddell scored on the power play, assisted by Ben Blasko and Hayden Hulton, making it 3-1. However, that will be as close as the Braves would get to try and take control of the game.

Later in the period, McGuire would score his second goal of the game, with the backing of Audi and Hrehoriak, to increase the Kings' lead to 4-1. Late in the third period, Pembroke's Dalpe popped in the last goal of the game, with Philippe Drouin snagging the assist.

King's goalie Darren Smith turned away 19 shots for the win.

Pembroke's McGuire and Hennessey were named the first and second star of the game while the third star was awarded to Brave's netminder Matthew Jenkins, on the strength of making 31 saves.

The Lumber Kings next hit the ice Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m., when they visit the Nepean Raiders. This is a warm up to Sunday's home opener, where the Kings play host to the Gloucester. The puck drops in the Pembroke Memorial Centre at 7 p.m.

stephen.uhler@sunmedia.ca