KETTERING, Ohio - They needed a shootout, but the Beavercreek hockey team got off to the best start in program history by winning the season-opening "Frozen Creek" tournament over Centerville, 2-1, on Sunday afternoon at the Kettering Recreational Center.

The Beavers won all four games in the weekend tournament, the first time they have ever started a season 4-0. Creek earned a spot in the championship game with wins over Troy, Maumee, and North Canton Hoover.

Centerville topped Springboro, North Canton Hoover, and Maumee to earn their berth.

The game was scoreless through two periods until the Elks' Joe Breslin snapped a perfectly placed shot just under the crossbar early in the third period. The lead was short-lived, however, as Beavercreek's Matt Green scored on a similar shot with just over five minutes remaining to tie the game.

In the shootout, Pavi Kullar scored on the first chance for the Beavers, while Creek goalie Kyle McClure stopped the first two Centerville shooters. Michael Mazza ended it in the third round with a forehand winner, giving Beavercreek the 2-0 win in the three-round shootout.

The Elks and Beavers will meet two more times in the regular season, with the two teams expected to be the frontrunners for the Southwest Ohio High School Hockey League title this season.