BRANDON – Newcomer Manatee made its presence known, while other teams expected to contend for the division title earned easy victories in the opening round of games in the Central Division of the Lightning Conference High School Hockey League.

Manatee earned a 7-5 victory against Wharton on Friday night, holding off a third-period rally by the Wildcats to earn the win. Chase Anderson scored a hat trick, his third goal giving the Hurricanes a 6-2 lead 30 seconds into the third period.

Matt Cazes hit back quickly for the Wildcats, and goals by Mike Lozicki and Kyle Johnson pulled them within a goal at the 4:50 mark of the third. Manatee then settled down, however, and Paul Lockner added an insurance goal midway through the period, and held on for the win. Lockner had a pair of goals and three assists for the Hurricanes.

Wharton rebounded on Saturday as the Wildcats defeated Wiregrass Ranch 7-1, John Collins scoring two goals and two assists, while Jake Nager also added pair of goals. The Wildcats victory was typical of the weekend’s other results, as Bloomingdale had Jeremy White, Matt Belz, Michael Dougherty and Andrew Gagnon each score twice in a 10-2 victory over other newcomer Sarasota.

Newsome Blue scored six goals in the second period of their 8-0 win against Lakeland Jenkins. All eight goals came from a different player, Brandon Diaz adding a pair of assists to his tally for a three-point night.

Jesuit had an even easier time of it, Nick LaFleche and Zack White each scoring hat trick in the Tigers 14-0 win against Newsome White.

Freedom also cruised against Plant, Justin Quillen scoring a hat trick while Weston Moon and Shaun Dickinson added a pair of goals apiece in a 7-0 win.