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

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