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The Air North Jets rediscovered their game in the nick of time.

Last year's Rec A hockey champions battled back from a 3-1 deficit after the first period to beat SLFS/Murphy Built 6-5 in the season opener Friday night at the Canada Games Centre.

The game was a rematch of last season's playoff final, won by the Jets two games to none.

After goals from Nathan Dumont, Steve Israel and Alain Desrochers staked last year's runner-up to a solid lead, the Jets came out in the second period with something to prove.

Tanner Kulych was the only Jet to dent the mesh in the first period.

A nice individual effort by Kane Dawe helped close the lead to one, and a seeing-eye point shot from his brother Kaleb tied the game 3-3 early in the second.

And while Chris Evans and Justin Quigley would give SLFS two more leads late in the game, the Air North offensive juggernaut would not go away quietly.

Twice, goals by Ryan Gleason tied the game before Colin Dendys buried what would stand up to be the game-winner with just over four minutes left in the game.

"We squeaked that one out for sure,鈥� Dendys said post-game. "We felt pretty slouch out there for the first period. It was tough, but it was everyone's first skate in a while.鈥�

The Jets were missing two key members of last year's title-winning team 鈥� goalie Rob Young and sniper Evan Campbell.

Dendys said his team seems to have an uncanny ability to never feel out of a game.

"I don't know, we just keep it together I guess,鈥� he said. "We just go out there and play.

We have fun together. We definitely don't like losing. We're going to try and come out big and not lose at all this year.鈥�

Substitute goalie JJ Gainsforth stood tall late in the contest when SLFS pulled their goalie for an extra attacker.

The game marked the first time on the ice for both teams, and players looked exhausted at times.

After making several key saves on a penalty kill to preserve his team's late first period lead, SLFS goalie Benoit Grenier laid down on the ice gasping for air.

Last season, the Jets finished the regular season 29-2-0, before going 6-0-1 in the playoffs.

SLFS blueliner Matt Dickson said his club hopes they can ground the mighty Jets this season.

"I think we've come in this year with a lot more respect for ourselves,鈥� he told the Star.

"It's pretty much the same team as last year. We've known each other now for three, four years and we're ready for Air North. Last year, we had a lot of chemistry at the end of the playoffs, and I think that's carried over.鈥�

Both teams will face more competition for the Rec A crown this season. A realignment to the A, B and C divisions will see 11 teams compete in A and seven in B this season, while the C division has been eliminated entirely.

"Hopefully it will be a more diverse league,鈥� Dickson said. "I think a lot of the main guys are still in it, and if anything, it will balance out.鈥�

Other Rec A hockey scores from this weekend are as follows:

Sunday

Air North Jets 10, KDFN-New Age Warriors 6

Yukon Brewing 10, Southpaw Rednex 7

Saturday

Narrow Gauge 3, ORC 2

Dirty Northern Muckers 11, Gold Pan Avalanche 1

Midget A Mustangs 7, Yukon Brewing 6

Friday

KDFN-New Age Warriors 10, Roadhouse 2

Meanwhile, early results in the Rec B league are as follows:

Sunday

Castle Rock 7, Envirolube 3

Kluane Drillers 7, Bantam A Mustangs 3

Saturday

LSCFN Kanucks 8, Trans North Helicopters 2

Thursday

Yukon Inn Boiler Room 5, Castle Rock 2

Kluane Drillers 12, Envirolube 3