NORTH SYDNEY, N.S. - The Glace Bay Panthers kicked off their 2022-23 Cape Breton High School Hockey League season with a victory on Thursday night.

Kale McNeil powered the offence with a hat trick, scoring three times including twice in the first period and once in the third period, to lead the Panthers to a 5-1 win over the Memorial Marauders at Emera Centre Northside in North Sydney.

Blake Snow and Pierce Hutchings also found the back of the net for the Panthers (1-0-0-0).

Jesse Ross had the lone goal for the Marauders (0-1-0-0).

Glace Bay's Kristian MacKenzie made 16 saves. Memorial's Jack MacPhee stopped 23 of 28 shots.

High school hockey action continues on Sunday when the Panthers host the Sydney Academy Wildcats at 7 p.m. at Miners Forum in Glace Bay.

- Jeremy Fraser is the sports reporter for the Cape Breton Post. Follow him on Twitter @CBPost_Jeremy.