Lack of Intensity may cost more than 2 points for some Players
With an overflowing roster, some veterans temporarily on the sidelines and the possibility of more players being returned from Junior A, there has got to be some questions as to who gets to stay and who gets golden handshake.
The Storm, coming off a stellar opening night victory against the Kimberly Dynamiters of Friday, showed little after the middle of the first period against new South Thompson rivals, the Chase Chiefs.
Jassi Sanga scored early in the game, his 4th in 2 games and the team looked like they expected to cruise through this one too. Not so.
Although Kamloops looked great offensively (well, the Sangha, Trenaman, Gore combination in particular) on Friday night, their defensive play was sloppy and Kimberly just couldn't muster up the offense and take advantage. Sunday was a different story. Sloppy passing, poor pick-ups, and weak clearing attempts all but exposed some team weaknesses and unfortunately some player personell weaknesses. Not to mention the lack of ability to win key faceoffs or take advantage of one's that were won. And it really wasn't the defense as much as it was the forwards giving up odd man opportunities with errant passes and slow decision making.
Personally, I believe that the Storm is further ahead in terms of personell at this particular stage in the season but with the glut of players still in camp and the potential for the team to pick up some Jr A cuts, one has to wonder who's gotta go.
Veteran utility player, Jamie Galbraith is still on the sidelines. He hurt his ankle over the summer and has started skating. He is a good bet to grab a spot before long. Jose Reyes, another league vet, injured his ankle in game one and will likely be back between 2-4 weeks.
Australian National Junior standout, Todd Stephenson, who played some exhibition games here last season against the Storm is waiting for clearance from Hockey Canada. He is likely to crack the top 6 forwards.
So, who's likely to stay? Here's our guess on how the chips will fall over the next few weeks. Coach Patterson is heading out on a 2 week road trip where he will be able to find who can and will step up to the plate.
Keep in mind, this review is our own opinion without inside information.
Who Stays?
There are a lot of guys who haven't played yet. If the team is going to carry 4 lines, we see only 3-4 spots available after the dust settles.
Forwards:
Sangha, Trenaman, Gore, Stephenson, Kirkham, Nowick, Reyes, Long
Sangha and Trenaman are a lock. Stephenson, barring some unforeseen challenge should also be a lock because of his long distance commitment.
Scott Kirkam has grown and is looking much better that last year.
Reyes is a league vet and brings an honest effort and high intensity.
Gore can obviously put the puck in the net.
Nowick and Long had solid efforts and were able to create opportunities.
Defense:
This is a good nucleus. Big, strong and mobile the Storm is blessed with quality vets and talented youngsters.
Lockwood, Wongstedt, Naka, Henderson, Caron.
On the Bubble?
Forwards:
Mike Hanes - Defenseman gone to forward, Hanes has the ability to play either position in this league. His aggressiveness (although very crowd pleasing) puts him in the penalty box much too often. With special teams playing a big part of the game these days, Mike needs to decide whether he is going to help the team or hinder it. It is unfortunate that the rules of the game cramp his style but that is the reality. If he stays out of the box Hanes is talented enough to contribute in a big way.
Jamie Galbraith - although likely to grap a spot, he will be pushed by some of the younger players to keep his spot.
Dominc Alec - showed well in the game against Chase, this kid is young and wants a spot. Needs to improve on his skating but he hits like a Mac Truck.
Devon Gannon - didn't make much happen this past weekend, needs to pick it up and be a force
Mick Ludvig - lots of intensity but is small in stature and hasn't played much the last couple of years. Similar to last years' Darren Mann but not as quick or as solid on his feet. Perhaps a couple more weeks will allow him to return to a level that is indicitive of what is required.
Riley Marsh - Played ok this weekend but with limited spots available he also has to pick it up a bit to stay on this roster.
Keelan Edwards - Made the team last year, had a serious eye injury and has returned. Keelan hasn't shown that he has improved much, particularly his skating and didn't show a lot of intensity. Possible trade bait but in tough to stay on this roster.
Stefan Jensen, Randy Hanes, Keagan Hunter, Brock Mott and a few others still in camp haven't played and may or may not get their chance on the road trip.
Defense:
This is a pretty solid group. We listed our top 5 which leaves only one or two spots open. With both Galbraith and Hanes able to play defense also, the competition gets tighter.
Mike McCance - played ok this past weekend but had difficulty with the puck when pressured and struggled on the power play when given the chance. He may be in tough here but has the ability to play in the league.
Patrick Pinder - did not play this weekend. no report.
Goaltenders:
The Storm did not have the same goaltenders at the end of last season that they started with. Unfortunately this position can be a revolving door situation. Brennan Jones is capable of playing Junior A and Tory Caldwell is yet to be game tested. The Merrit Centennials have an extra goaltender in camp and will likely be sending one this way.
Jones is #1 for now and it appears that someone either has to take it from him or he goes elsewhere and opens up a spot. I'm sure that Caldwell will get his opportunity to shine while on the road.
We expect that a few cuts will be made in the next 24-48 hrs as the team gets ready to hit the road for the first time this season. We will try to keep you updated as things progress.
Next Home Game - Oct 5 - Summerland / Oct 6 - Princeton
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2007-09-17
2007-09-15
The Storm Report - by Barry Dewar
Game One of the 2007/08 season is in the books.
The Storm had a convincing 7-3 win over the Kimberley Dynamiters. The Storm scored all seven goals on special teams with 6 power play goals and one shorthanded goal.
Jassi Sangha lead the way with 6 points (3 goals and 3 assists) in another Domino Pizza give away for all the fans. Jassi playing on a line with Lundy Trenaman and David Gore on the power play were pretty much unstoppable. Jassi also scored one shorthanded goal and almost had more as he enjoyed the return to the Storm. Trenaman and Gore also had great nights with Gore getting one goal and 3 assists while Trenaman set up 4 goals for 4 assists.
Some other highlites of the night included our first video webcast. While we still have some technical glitches to fix overall it seems to be well received and word is the games will be archived for review should the need arise.
Other goal scorers for the Storm were Payden Wongstedt of Fort St. John who played a stellar game on defense, Jose Reyes from Kamloops and Dominic Alec also from Kamloops got the other goals. Wongstedt took a great pass from Scott Kirkham on a goal mouth pass while Alec and his line of Riley Marsh and Brandon Long were strong all night long. Reyes who came to the Storm after playing last season fit in nicely in his Storm debut but left the game late in the third period after a cheap shot by one of the Dynamiters injured him. Derek Henderson of Langley answered the bell for his teammate by pummeling the offender in his first fight of the season. Henderson also had a strong game on the blue line as did Cody Lockwood who will be one of the leaders on the defense.
Brennon Jones got the win in net making 33 of 36 saves. Jones was tested early and made a couple of big saves and played a strong game in net.
The win is the first for the coaching tandem of Ed Patterson, Gille Leberre and Chad Ferris who ran an excellent bench.
The Storm had a convincing 7-3 win over the Kimberley Dynamiters. The Storm scored all seven goals on special teams with 6 power play goals and one shorthanded goal.
Jassi Sangha lead the way with 6 points (3 goals and 3 assists) in another Domino Pizza give away for all the fans. Jassi playing on a line with Lundy Trenaman and David Gore on the power play were pretty much unstoppable. Jassi also scored one shorthanded goal and almost had more as he enjoyed the return to the Storm. Trenaman and Gore also had great nights with Gore getting one goal and 3 assists while Trenaman set up 4 goals for 4 assists.
Some other highlites of the night included our first video webcast. While we still have some technical glitches to fix overall it seems to be well received and word is the games will be archived for review should the need arise.
Other goal scorers for the Storm were Payden Wongstedt of Fort St. John who played a stellar game on defense, Jose Reyes from Kamloops and Dominic Alec also from Kamloops got the other goals. Wongstedt took a great pass from Scott Kirkham on a goal mouth pass while Alec and his line of Riley Marsh and Brandon Long were strong all night long. Reyes who came to the Storm after playing last season fit in nicely in his Storm debut but left the game late in the third period after a cheap shot by one of the Dynamiters injured him. Derek Henderson of Langley answered the bell for his teammate by pummeling the offender in his first fight of the season. Henderson also had a strong game on the blue line as did Cody Lockwood who will be one of the leaders on the defense.
Brennon Jones got the win in net making 33 of 36 saves. Jones was tested early and made a couple of big saves and played a strong game in net.
The win is the first for the coaching tandem of Ed Patterson, Gille Leberre and Chad Ferris who ran an excellent bench.
Storm Blasts Dynamiters at 2007 Home Opener
Vets Sangha and Trenaman Light it Up to Start the Season
It's been a long summer for Jassi Sangha and Lundy Trenaman. After falling 4 straight to eventual KIJHL winners, Fernie Ghostbusters last spring, the Kamloops Storm is setting their sites on a championship this season with Sangha and Trenaman expected to lead the way. This opening night they didn't disappoint.
In what seemed like mid-season form, Sangha had 3G - 3A and Treneman had 4 assists in 7-3 shellacking of Kimberly Dynamiters. Newcomer David Gore also had a great night as he was credited a goal and 4 assists.
Special teams played a big part in the win as the Storm scored 6 of the 7 goals on the power play and one spectacular short handed effort intiated by Trenaman and completed by Sangha. 2 of the 4 goals by Kimberly were also on the power play.
With a good mixture of vets, newcomers and rookies, Kamloops looked reasonably organized on the ice compared to Kimberly who couldn't seem to get it together or get a break until the 2nd period when they were already down 4-0. The Storm saw commendable efforts from league veterans Cody Lockwood (D), Jose Reyes(F), Mike Hanes(F), Devon Gannon(F), Scott Kirkam(F) and Brendan Jones(F). Newcomers Payden Wongstedt(D) and Shea Naka (D) showed poised and impressed on the back end, both getting lots of PP and PK time.
For Kimberly, vets Mike Whitequilles and Tommy Latouche-Gauvin were solid up front but couldn't seem to pull the trigger when they needed it most. Kimberly's biggest downfall was their lack of discipline that saw them parade to the penalty box time after time and Kamloops just seem to eat them up on the PP. Goaltender Mike Marino faced a number of quality opportunities and played pretty well despite the 7 goals.
There was one fight in the game. Jose Reyes had a knee taken out on a cheap shot late in the game by Matt Wilkins. Newcomer Derek Henderson would have nothing of that and proceeded to punish Wilkens for his dastardly deed. Both players were ejected from the game with the KIJHL's new one fight rule (more on this on another post).
All in all the 650 fans went home happy with a home team win and a Domino's pizza coupon for a free 10" pizza for the team scoring over 5 goals in a game. Thanks again Domino's!
The Storm's next game is this Sunday, 5pm, when they suit up against the new Chase Chiefs at the Mac Park Sports Centre here in Kamloops. Hope to see you there.
It's been a long summer for Jassi Sangha and Lundy Trenaman. After falling 4 straight to eventual KIJHL winners, Fernie Ghostbusters last spring, the Kamloops Storm is setting their sites on a championship this season with Sangha and Trenaman expected to lead the way. This opening night they didn't disappoint.
In what seemed like mid-season form, Sangha had 3G - 3A and Treneman had 4 assists in 7-3 shellacking of Kimberly Dynamiters. Newcomer David Gore also had a great night as he was credited a goal and 4 assists.
Special teams played a big part in the win as the Storm scored 6 of the 7 goals on the power play and one spectacular short handed effort intiated by Trenaman and completed by Sangha. 2 of the 4 goals by Kimberly were also on the power play.
With a good mixture of vets, newcomers and rookies, Kamloops looked reasonably organized on the ice compared to Kimberly who couldn't seem to get it together or get a break until the 2nd period when they were already down 4-0. The Storm saw commendable efforts from league veterans Cody Lockwood (D), Jose Reyes(F), Mike Hanes(F), Devon Gannon(F), Scott Kirkam(F) and Brendan Jones(F). Newcomers Payden Wongstedt(D) and Shea Naka (D) showed poised and impressed on the back end, both getting lots of PP and PK time.
For Kimberly, vets Mike Whitequilles and Tommy Latouche-Gauvin were solid up front but couldn't seem to pull the trigger when they needed it most. Kimberly's biggest downfall was their lack of discipline that saw them parade to the penalty box time after time and Kamloops just seem to eat them up on the PP. Goaltender Mike Marino faced a number of quality opportunities and played pretty well despite the 7 goals.
There was one fight in the game. Jose Reyes had a knee taken out on a cheap shot late in the game by Matt Wilkins. Newcomer Derek Henderson would have nothing of that and proceeded to punish Wilkens for his dastardly deed. Both players were ejected from the game with the KIJHL's new one fight rule (more on this on another post).
All in all the 650 fans went home happy with a home team win and a Domino's pizza coupon for a free 10" pizza for the team scoring over 5 goals in a game. Thanks again Domino's!
The Storm's next game is this Sunday, 5pm, when they suit up against the new Chase Chiefs at the Mac Park Sports Centre here in Kamloops. Hope to see you there.
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