Nelson Leafs Blank the Storm 4-0

Kamloops Free Falls from 2nd to 5th in Division

They may only be one point behind the next 3 teams in the standings but the Kamloops Storm seem to be on a free fall that must have team coaches, management and fans shaking their heads.

Kamloops took it on the chin last night when they renewed last year's KIJHL champions, the Nelson Leafs and came up empty handed in a 4-0 loss. It was the 2nd loss of the weekend for the Storm who lost a heart-breaker in OT to division leaders, the Revelstoke Grizzlies on Friday night.

The Leafs who were licking their wounds from a 7-1 b-slapping from the Chase Chiefs on Friday night, came prepared to shut down anything the Kamloops Storm could throw at them. And shut them down they did.

It was a great 1st period, scoreless but exciting. Good defensive play, no poor penalties, tight checking and decent goaltending. The only hint of struggling came when the Storm failed to score on 2 power play opportunities. Whatever shots the Leafs defense didn't block or deflect, goaltender Billy Faust came up big and stopped all 12 shots. Will Frolek got the start for the Storm and was equally effective at the other end of the ice stopping all 8 shots from the Leafs.

The Storm's woes started early in the 2nd period when Spencer Donaldson and Kolten Moen took back-to-back penalties, leaving Kamloops down 2 men. The Leafs, with their speedy forwards and mobile defense relentlessly peppered Frolek with shots from every angle and were able to score twice on the extended power play. It was like someone let the air out of the balloon for the rest of the period.

The Storm, needing to regroup in the 3rd period put themselves at a disadvantage again by taking 2 penalties in a row, creating another 2 man disadvantage. The Storm penalty killers did a good job in keeping the puck out of the net, shutting down the potent Leafs powerplay this time. Unfortunately, the Storm powerplay, which only had 1 more opportunity in the 3rd period could get the puck past Billy Faust who ended up posting the shutout. The final goal of the game was scored at the 12:03 mark of the 3rd period by Jeff Mobley.

Kamloops ended up out shooting the Leafs 29-28.

Lack of production has to be of some concern for the team. Lack of speed, enthusiasm and shooting accuracy has the fans mumbling in the stands. If you compared the 2 teams last night you can understand their frustration. The Leafs have a bunch of guys that can skate like Ty Jackson and put out the same effort. I can't tell you how many shot opportunities the Storm had that went high or wide or both, virtually giving the goaltender a free ride.

Newcomer/returnee Mike Hanes has brought some physicality to the team but he's not expected to be the guy that is the savior on the scoreboard.

What I am seeing out there is a lack of 3 basic elements.

1. Very mediocre team speed. If it's there, the team in general is not showing it. Personally, I don't think it's there. There are only a handful of guys on the team that seem to want to use their speed to their advantage.
2. Brutal hand skills. The forwards can't hit the net and the defense can't complete a pass to get the puck out of the zone. If you are going to win in this league you have to be able to get the puck out of your own end with possession (not just bang it out) and get the puck to the net at the other end. The transition game needs to improve. If you can't put the puck on the stick with a pass, there is no transition. At the other end, Kamloops must lead the league in having shots blocked from the point. Right now, most of the guys are shooting in sloooooow mmmmotion. Not only are shots being blocked but the opposition, many times, ends up with a breakaway, leaving the goaltenders out to dry.
   
3. Lack of confidence. When you lack #1 and #2, it's pretty hard to hold on to confidence. Like the ocean tides, it comes and it goes and over the last month, it's been mostly low tide.

I don't know what the answers are for the coaches. At this level there is very little effort put into skill development but it's pretty hard to get the systems to work if the skills are not there. Maybe we should put it out there to the fans for their opinion.

So, if any of you armchair coaches/gm's have an opinion on what you think the teams needs or needs to to do the get back on track... leave us a comment right here and we will post your thoughts. Please do not pick on the individuals, we are not attempting to crucify anyone.

The Storm are on the road for the next 3 games and return home for a showdown with the Princeton Posse on Dec 12. Let's hope that some of that confidence shown earlier in the year returns.

---

THE KAMLOOPS STORM WILL BE HOSTING THE 2010 KEYSTONE CUP FROM APRIL 15 TO 18, 2010. THIS IS THE WESTERN CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP AND WILL FEATURE THE PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONS FROM WESTERN ONTARIO, MANITOBA, SASKATCHEWAN, ALBERTA, BC AND THE HOST KAMLOOPS STORM.

THIS IS A MEMORIAL CUP TYPE TOURNAMENT. GREAT HOCKEY ACTION.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE FOR THE EARLY BIRD PRICE OF $75 FOR ALL 17 GAMES UNTIL DECEMBER 24, 2009. ONLY TOURNAMENT PACKAGES AVAILABLE.
Contact the Kamloops Storm at 250-396-0990 for more information.

---

---