WOW - What a Game!

It might have been a coaches nightmare (it was), but the fans at McArthur Island definitely got their money's worth on Saturday night.

The Storm met the Summerland Sting for a big first place game in the KIJHL Okanagan Shuswap Division and ended up winning the game 7-6. Both teams had a tough game the night before, but the Sting were hungry and have been on a losing skid for the past few weeks and wanted to show that they are a force in Division. (Kamloops lost 2-1OT to Sicamous and Summerland lost 4-1 to the Beaver Valley Nighthawks).
Summerland jumped out to a quick two goal lead. The Storm were able to get one back before the teams traded goals to end the first period 3-2. Storm goalie Anthony Manfredi and Sting goalie Carson Loveday are known for their solid play but both struggled in the first period which ended with the Sting outshooting the Storm 21 to 6.

The Sting got one goal in the second period, but the Storm managed to score 3 times and take a 5-4 lead after two periods.

The Storm got into penalty trouble and it did not look good for the home team. The Storm nearly killed off four straight penalties, however Summerland was able to score one power play goal and another at even strength to take the lead with just over 3 minutes remaining in the game. The Storm penalties which could have allowed the Sting to take a commanding lead, but the defense was solid. Scott Gardner in particular, had an exceptional game killing penalties as did the whole team and gave them a breath of life. Suddenly, the penalty barrage changed and the Sting took two penalties with just over 2 minutes left in the game and clinging to a one goal lead.
The Storm came out strong on the power play and Keelan Edwards on a deflection of a Jassi Sangha shot, scored the equalizer goal with 57 seconds on the clock. With only 12 seconds remaining in the game it looked like overtime but the Storm had other ideas as Jassi Sangha fed the puck to Justin Giroux who found Ryan Bullock in the open, Bullock wired a shot that the Sting goalie had no chance on for the game winner.

Both Sting coach Rich Kromm and Storm coach Bryant Perrier could hardly believe the unlikely turn of events but the crowd of over 500 erupted when the puck sailed past the Summerland goalie for the win. Austin Goode with a three goal performance and was named the games first star.

The victory was huge for the Storm who move 3 points ahead of Summerland in the tough Okanagan Shuswap Division, but more importantly showed the character of the team, as they overcame some adversity to put the win on the board.

Other notable performances from the Storm included team leading scorer Sangha and Lundy Trenaman who both had 3 points on the night. The Storm were slow out of the gate but a special mention needs to made of a solid check by 16 year old Todd Kennedy early in the second period. With the Storm having been badly outchanced in the first period, Kennedy on an aggressive forecheck nailed one of the Sting players with an excellent hit. Unfortunately the stick got a little high and the ref, ejected Kennedy for a high hit. While it was a good call by the ref, the intensity of Kennedy helped to spark the Storm.

Next Storm action is Friday night in Kamloops as the Princeton Posse come to town. Princeton beat the Storm 2-1 in the last meeting so the Storm will be looking for revenge. Game time is 7:30pm. Then it is off to Revelstoke on Saturday, before returning home on Sunday for a 2 o’clock start time.

post contributed by Barry Dewar

____________________________________________________________________

Out-of-town listeners of the Kamloops Storm broadcasts - please keep sending those emails so that we may recognize you on the air during the game!
Send them to... kamloopsstormwriter@yahoo.ca

3 Players Taste the Upside

Manfredi, Goode and Collins get temporary BCHL call-ups.

Wow. Since our last blog entry and survey regarding who would finish the season in the BCHL or AJHL the team has seen some movement action. Thanks to all the participants, there were 92 responses (see results below this post). And make sure that you help us out with our new one.

As reported on Oct 27, Anthony Manfredi was called to play for the Westside Warriors of the BCHL. He was returned to the Storm Oct 30. The team went 2-0 without him when they travelled to Kimberley and Creston and newcomer Bobby Derkson was asked to take on the #1 role. Manfredi was back between the pipes for the Storm this past weekend posting a 2-1 OT loss to Sicamous and a thrilling 7-6 victory over the Summerland Sting (aka - Okanagan Hockey Academy).

This past weekend Austin Goode had the opportunity to play with the Merritt Centennials on Friday night. Reports were that Austin played well but didn't have any points. The increased tempo that he experienced was more than enough to send him on a tear against Summerland on Saturday as he scored the first 3 goals for Kamloops in their 7-6 good old fashioned shootout win and had numerous opportunities to add to that total.

Anthony Collins was called up for Saturday's game with the Merritt Centennials and other than reading the box scores and that he is back in Kamloops, we haven't heard how he played. We're sure he represented himself well. Anthony has been a steady performer this year. His size and determination will help him move to the next level.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Here are the results of our 1st Survey

As a development league, the KIJHL is a feeder to the BCHL and AJHL. Who do you think is the most likely player to finish the regular season in the BCHL or AJHL?


Jassi Sanga 18% 17
Jake Young 5% 5
Anthony Manfredi 22% 20
Trevor Torbolm 1% 1
Darren Mann 14% 13
Austin Goode 7% 6
Kody Kightly 5% 5
Lundy Treneman 5% 5
other 1% 1
Other? Enter here... 21% 19

Total: 92 responses