Storm Win Game 1 in Conference Final

Sicamous Eagles Running on Fumes
After Grueling 7 Game Series with Chase
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I don't think that I have ever seen a schedule like this year's KIJHL Okanagan-Shuswap Playoffs.
I can 't believe that the Sicamous Eagles played as well as they did because of the schedule.

It was a closed game last night in the opening game of the conference finals. Sicamous came out strong, as we expected in the first period and started to fade in the 2nd period as predicted. But it was their 3rd period that surprised this cowboy as the Eagles really stuck with the lack-lustre Kamloops Storm only to lose by one goal.

The Storm, lacing the skates up with a 5 day rest, again lacked finish in the offensive zone and can be accused a slack effort in their own zone. Their 2 power play goals helped save the day. Eagles goaltender, Chris Kingdon, again kept them in the game as he faced 44 shots to Anthony Manfredi's 28.

The Storm's big line of Jose Reyes, David Gore and Mick Ludvig were generally ineffective. They really struggled in every zone, especially their lack of production on the scoreboard. Not that they were not trying, they just were not clicking. If Kamloops hopes to win it all this year, that line has to pick it up a notch or two.

The best players on the ice for Kamloops were the tenacious twins, Devin Gannon and Ryan Hanes, and the skilled performances of Scott Kirkam and Sean Menton. The "D" was led by Shae Naka, Daniel Medland-Marchen and Mike McCance. Palazzo, Galbraith, Marr and Orr struggled in their own zone. Palazzo was certainly instrumental on the power play.

Game 2 goes tonight, 7pm at the Mac Island Sports Centre. The Eagles are playing their 5th game in 5 days and 9th game in 11 days and have got to be running on fumes. Luckily, their goaltending has held up and will need to continue to do so if they hope to win this series. The Storm need a 4 line effort. Their depth is their ace in the hole and should overpower the spent Sicamous Eagles. But that's why they play the game. On paper, it should be a no-brainer but extraordinary efforts can give extraordinary results. And super goaltending can make all the difference. Both teams have superb netminders. At the moment I give the Eagles the nod in this department, mostly because the Storm's Manfredi has seen very little action over the past 3 weeks. If he finds his "A" game it will be lights out for the Eagles. If not, the Eagles have a slim chance of pulling the rabbit out of the hat.

In other action, the Nelson Leafs have taken a 2-0 lead over defending champions, the Fernie GhostRiders. The series now moves to Fernie for games 3 and 4.

Catch us on the air about 5 minutes before game time tonight.

Your Comments are welcome.