Kamloops Storm Poised to take Series at Home

Split in Sicamous Leaves Storm up 3-1 on Eagles

After a lack lustre performance on Sunday night in Sicamous, losing 6-3 to the Eagles, the Kamloops Storm upped their standards and got back to their winning ways with a convincing 8-2 thrashing of their opponents on Monday night in KIJHL playoff action.

The Storm, obviously embarrassed by the shelacking they took at the hands of the Eagles took matters into its own hands and showed why they were first in the division during the regular season. Joel Leonard, who has been Kamloops most prolific scorer in the playoffs scored his 6th and 7th goals to lead the charge. As the big line of Leonard, Jassi Sangha and Ryan Bullock accounted for 4 of the 8 goals, it was the 3rd and 4th liners that accounted for 3 of the 8 goals.

Jamie Galbraith, Todd Kennedy and Scott Kirkham supplemented their hard hat style of play with a goal scoring touch that solidified the depth of the team. Coach Bryant Perrier now knows that he's got more scoring depth than just the first two lines.

Speaking of top two lines, the combination of Anthony Collins, Lundy Trenaman and Austin Goode were very quiet on the scoring sheet Monday as they accounted for only one Lundy Trenaman tally. Collins and Trenaman have been pretty steady in this playoff so far but Austin Goode is nowhere to be found. With no goals and no assists, the Storm's Rookie of the Year has been a bit of a disappointment thus far. Perhaps he can find his touch back at home tonight. If not, look for the Kamloops coaching staff to insert someone more deserving of 2nd line status as the playoffs progress. Austin has ridden this roller coaster all season and usually pulls out just when they need him most so look for a strong performance from him tonight.

In other action, Fernie Ghostriders won it's series handily against Columbia Valley 4 games to nil.

Nelson Maple Leafs, leading team in the KIJHL regular season, also turned in a strong performance in eliminating Spokane Braves in 4 straight.

Kimberley has a 3-2 lead on Creston in a high scoring affair.

The Beaver Valley Nitehawks and the Castlegar Rebels are locked in winning 2 games apiece in a series that is expected to go all the way to 7 games.

In Okanagan Shuswap action the Revelstoke Grizzlies and the Summerland Sting are locked in a 2-2 series tie. This could also be a long series as both teams were evenly matched throughout the season series. The winner of this round will take on the winner of Kamloops-Sicamous in the next playoff series.

See you tonight at the game.