Chase Chiefs Take Series Over Kamloops Storm

Kamloops Storm Now Has 6 Weeks to Regroup for Keystone Cup

After looking like they were going to make a series of it, the Kamloops Storm struggled to stop the Chase Chiefs offense in the second half of game 4 and were sent to the showers after falling 6-3 and losing the series 3 games to one.

The Storm started off well, particularly AP Morgan Zulinick, who showed some real chemistry with line-mates Rylee Orr and Alessio Tomassetti, had posted a hat-trick (and all of the Storms goals for the evening) in the first half of the game. But it was the Chase Chiefs who wouldn't quit in the long run. They kept fighting back, not allowing Kamloops to gain more than a one goal advantage at any time during the game.

Jordan Wood, the Chiefs hero from Game 3 (tied the score late in the game to force overtime) led his team with a 2 goal effort. The other hero from Game 3, Ian Grant (overtime winner) also scored along with Tyson Bentley, Jordie Cool and Scott Renner.

There were some interesting scratches on both teams. Riley Wall, the starting goaltender for for the previous game, sat after Jordan Bytelaar came in and carried the team to the overtime win in Game 3. Bytelaar played very well in game 4 and deserved the win. Also for Chase, veteran Colten DeFrias was a healthy scratch. Colten missed most of the season with a broken arm and it looked like he was struggling to catch up on the skills end of the game. In game 3 he asserted himself as a pest but (and I am just guessing) I would assume the Chase coaching staff didn't want to risk the extra penalty factor that hemay have brought to the game. I'm sure that he will see more ice time in the next series.

The Kamloops Storm made Gary Rai a healthy scratch in Game 4, which was a significant surprise. Rai, a talented forward who can score goals has shown a tendency to lose interest during a game and show little effort in working both ways. Some games he's been very good in both ends. Perhaps the coaching staff thought that they could get through without Rai's offensive upside... they are possibly rethinking that since it was only an AP (Zulinick) that seemed to be able twitch the red light.

As was evident for a long time, the Storm simply just didn't have the horses. The defense was young, lacking a real quarterback on the power play. Mike McCance, the only real veteran on the back end did the best that he could but he needed a little more mature and skilled help to give goaltender Anthony Manfredi the support that was required to succeed on a regular basis. The young d-men, DeFrias, Hawgood and Skinner all improved immensely during the season but it really wasn't enough. They will be stalwarts for their teams next year as they gain strength, speed and mental maturity. The forwards were just as impotent. There are guys that give you 100% every game, win or lose and some that don't... they know who they are. The bottom line was that the team really didn't have the top end skill combined with a consistent work ethic like they have had in earlier years. No one emerged as a go-to guy or unit to score a goal when you really needed one.

Chase starts their next series tonight in Revelstoke against the overwhelming favorite Grizzlies. Revelstoke finished 20 points ahead of the Chiefs during the regular season.

The Storm now have a 6 week break before the start of the Keystone Cup. If everyone hangs around, there is plenty of time to work on things and plenty of time to get healthy... the only thing missing will be competition. Let's hope that the coaching staff and the players can get on the same page by that time so that they can give a commendable effort in the tournament. I don't think anyone is expecting any miracles but a solid effort would be a nice way to repay the fans who have supported the team, not only this year but for past years too.

We will be using the blog to give periodic updates from the league and perhaps from the other leagues and provinces competing for the Keystone.

I apologize for the the delay in getting this last report out as I took advantage of an opportunity to be in Vancouver for the olympic showdown between Russian and Canada.

I would also thank most of the people who contributed their comments. For the first time in 4 years we have had to censor one idiot who couldn't take the hint that slamming everyone within arms length isn't a sport and eventually is not worthy of publication. Your opinions are important and controversy is expected. It's what makes it all interesting however when the only goal is to drag everyone else into the shit pit then we are proud to exercise our right to flush.

Stay tuned, the hockey season isn't finished yet.

DaveO

Chase Win 4-3 in OT

Storm Needs Big Win Tonight to Survive

It's a short series and the Chase Chiefs have gained back the momentum in the series with a gutsy 4-3 Double OT win at the Mac Island Sports and Events Centre in Kamloops last night.

With a handsome crowd in attendance, the two teams put on a hockey display that would make any mother proud. It was a reasonably clean game with a few cheap shots thrown out by individuals on both teams. Kamloops goaltender, Anthony Manfredi faced a barrage of shots (62 in total) and came up big all night. The Chase Chiefs on the other hand, seemed to struggle in goal. Starting goaltender, Riley Wall saved a lot of shots but had trouble holding on to the puck and/or giving up rebounds. After Kamloops' 3rd goal (to go ahead), coach Brad Faux had had enough, pulled Wall and but in Jordan Bytelaar who did an outstanding job in shutting the down the Storm for the rest of the 3rd period and in the overtime periods. Well enough to get the win and a 2-1 series lead.

Possibly the best player on the ice for the evening was Chiefs captain, Kyle Fraser who ended up with 3 assists on the night and on the ice for all 4 goals for. Other than Manfredi, the Storm got solid performances from Duncan Schultz, who has elevated his game, Jason Alessio, Rylee Orr and Bevin Ollek.

The overtime periods were the most exciting play that we have seen for a while. It was back and forth like a ping-pong game with neither goaltender giving anything up. About half way through the 2nd overtime period, it was becoming evident on how tired the teams were get and you knew that it was just a matter of time. Sure enough, with 3:37 left in the 2nd overtime period, unsung forward Ian Grant slipped the puck past a sprawling Manfredi to seal the win.

Game 4 is tonight, 7 pm at the Mac Island Sport Centre... If the Storm win, it's back to Chase's barn on Wednesday. If Chase wins they will be opening up the 2nd round in Revelstoke (either team will end up playing Revelstoke as Sicamous and the Princeton Posse are slated to meet in the next round as the Eagles disposed of the Penticton Lakers on 3 straight games.

Win or lose this series... the Storm will still be participating in the Keystone Cup in April at the Mac Island Sports Centre.

Kamloops Notes:

Cody Jules was a healthy scratch.

Mitch Lutz has decided to pack it in... apparently not happy with his ice time.

Brett DeFrias played a little forward the other night in Chase... there were just too many D-men dressed and he was given the opportunity to develop a few offensive skills. It doesn't sound like the team will need him there anymore with the departure of Lutz.

Keystone Cup tickets are available at the Storm office... $100 for the whole tournament... 250-376-0990.

Kamloops Storm Steals Game 2 in Chase

Series Tied 1-1 Coming Back to Mac Island Sports Centre

Game 1 - Chase wins 2-1 in 3rd Period Comeback

The Storm played a solid game in Chase on Friday night but it was their lack of discipline that got them into penalty trouble in the 3rd period that eventually cost them the game. Jason Alessio, perhaps the Storms most consistent two-way forward all year, scored in the first period on the power play to put Kamloops up 1-0 and it held up until almost half way through the 3rd period when Devin Hobbs finally put the puck past an outstanding Anthony Manfredi.

A couple of minutes later it was Bevin Ollek taking a tripping penalty and sure enough, the Chiefs finally made good on their power play that went 1 for 10 on the PP for the evening. Although the penalty killing units + Manfredi operated at top efficiency, something had to give at some time.

Chase goaltender Riley Wall also had an outstanding game, stopping 41 of 42 shots and earning the first star of the evening. Devin Hobbs, who had 1 goal and 1 assist was the 2nd star. Manfredi
earned 3rd star accolades for his 35 saves.

The Storm's new co-coach Tyler Liebel was watching the game from the sidelines after being suspended for some verbal abuse he doled out in the 10-3 embarrassment in Revelstoke last weekend.

Boxscore

Game 2 - Kamloops Storm Win 7-4

It was the Storms power play, including 3 in the first period that put them in the drivers seat in game 2. It was a wide open 1st period with a total of 6 goals but it was Kamloops who led 4-2 going into the intermission. The Chiefs were guilty of giving up 5 power play opportunities to their arch rivals who really put it to them.

The teams both lost their discipline in the 2nd period when 10 minor penalties were called and each team capitalized once on the PP and once each at even strength. The score after two periods was 6-4 for the Storm.

Both teams came out playing hockey instead of hacky in the 3rd period and the goaltenders turned it up a notch stopping every shot taken. The only goal scored was by Duncan Schultz who scored an unassisted marker into an open net.

Alessio Tomassetti had the big game for the Storm, coming up with the opening goal and then following up with 3 assists. Tomassetti is another player that has laid it all out on the line for the Storm since he arrived late in the season and has been a visible leader in all aspects of the game.

3 Stars.... #1 Tomassetti (Kamloops- 1G 3A), #2 Rylee Orr (Kamloops - 2A), #3 Brandon Briere (Chase Chiefs)

Boxscore


Game 3 & 4 - Mac Island Sports Centre - Feb 22-23, 2010 - Tickets available at the Door... See you there or watch to the game on the KIJHL.ca Webcast.

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Kamloops Storm Win Big At Home Finale

The Power Play Comes up BIG!!!

It was the Revelstoke Grizzlies who struck first but the Kamloops Storm, with new bench boss, Tyler Liebel, scoring 5 consecutive goals including 4 power play goals to defeat the division leaders 5-1 at the Mac Island Centre on Saturday night in Kamloops.

It was a spirited 1st period with the Grizzlies scoring one power-play goal by Brad Friedrich to lead 1-0 after one. Revelstoke held the play advantage and outshot Kamloops 13-9. Veteran Storm forward, Taylor Stuart was tossed early in the period for a hit-from-behind. It was one of those mistakes that didn't have to happen.

The second period played out a little differently. Although out-shot 12-9, the Storm played one of it's strongest periods of the year when the broke out scoring 4 goals including 3 consecutive power play goals to lead 4-1 after two. It was an impressive effort that saw Ryan Skinner score an even strength goal, putting the puck past Revelstoke goaltender Cole Buckley.
Then the power-play took over. Gary Rai scored his first of 2 for the evening on a deflection in front of the net then Bevin Ollek scored a similar goal less than 3 minutes later. Cory Huppe finished off the flurry with a pretty feed from Alessio Tomassetti.

In the 3rd period the Grizzlies flirted with danger again taking the first 2 penalties of the 3rd period and the Storm took advantage of the second infractions with the 2nd goal of the evening for Gary Rai when he let a rising wrist shot go above the glove of the Grizzlies goaltender.

It was definitely the best home ice performance by the Storm since about early November. They showed discipline when needed, worked hard and although their shots on goal totaled only 29, the team seemed to be shooting more often, rather than waiting for the perfect shot. It was refreshing to see the 'jump' back.

New co-coach Tyler Liebel didn't take long to get into things as he had a few jawing sessions with both the referee and Revelstoke coach, Troy Mick.

It was a pretty good crowd and everyone home with a free pizza coupon from Domino's.

Kamloops will end up in 5th spot and will meet arch-rival Chase Chiefs in the first round of the playoffs. It will be a short 3 out of 5 series with the first 2 games are in Chase, starting Friday Feb 19 and 20. Game 3 will be back in Kamloops on Monday Feb 22 and if required, Feb 23. The 5th game of the series, if required, will be back in Chase on Wed, Feb 24.

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Liebel Steps in as Bench Boss

Hawgood Stays on as Co-Coach

After days of speculation, the coaching situation with the Kamloops Storm has ironed itself out for the moment. A string of poor efforts and points lost forced the hand of Barry Dewar to do what he didn't really want to do... bring on a new coach.

Coming on board to share duties with Greg Hawgood and Don Schultz is 27 year old Tyler Liebel from Osoyoos, BC. Tyler has played in the BCHL, NCAA as an amateur and professionally in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) and the Central Hockey League (CHL). He has spent the last bunch of summers running the training camps for the rep teams in Osoyoos.

Although he sports a limited coaching resume, Tyler will bring a level of enthusiasm that this team badly needs. If he coaches like he played he will demand a heart-and-soul type of play from the players. No nights off, no favorites, no excuses.

It was good to see Hawgy stay on board. He has a wealth of playing experience and possesses some of the best skating and shooting skills in the business to share with the players that are smart enough to learn from him.

Assistant coach, Brent Fritz will be leaving the team to fulfill a firefighting school obligation in Texas. Good Luck Brent... hope you get a chance to listen in on the rest of the games this season.

Storm Lose 2 on the Weekend

Rumours of Coaching Change Circulate

It was a tough weekend for the Kamloops Storm. On Friday night they visited the last place North Okanagan Knights in Enderby and took it on the chin, losing 5-4 in regulation. With Saturday being a resting day you would think that the team would be re-charged for their Sunday matinee game at the Mac Park Centre against the dreaded Princeton Posse but such was not the case.

For the first couple of minutes of the game the Storm controlled the play but on 12 seconds into a Mitch Lutz penalty for holding, the Princeton Posse scored their first goal from Danny Hillman and the rout was on. Six minutes later, the Storm got their first power play and promptly coughed the puck up at the offensive blueline (which has been a bad habit lately) when Chase Salisbury poked the puck around Jordan Wilkins and made a nice feed to Dayton Shaw who buried his first goal of the game, a nice short-handed goal over the glove of Storm goaltender Anthony Manfredi.

Just 1:28 later, Storm forward Gary Rai got caught stickhandling as the last man back in his own zone. Ben Morgan picked his pocket and promptly put the puck over the same glove hand as the previous goal. Manfredi was livid (justifiably so) and was pulled in favour of newly signed goaltender, Alex Christiansen, who didn't fare much better. With 4:13 left in the period the Posse capitalized on another power play on a goal by Evan Stack and the score was now 4-0.

It was at this time that the Storm finally showed an ounce of pride and started to fight back. At 17:16 Gary Rai made up for his earlier blunder by finishing off a spectacular effort by Duncan Schultz to put the Storm's first goal on the board. Then, 47 seconds later on the same shift, Schultz potted one on a some good work by Bevin Ollek... the team had life and went into the intermission trailing only by 2 and on the power play to start the 2nd period.

Riding on the momentum from their flurry at the end of the 1st period, the Storm came out buzzing and managed to score their 3rd goal in a row. Brett DeFrias let a low slapper go after Tyler Jackson slid a smooth pass back to the point. The crowd was now back into the game but the euphoria wouldn't last long.

The Posse, refusing to break under the onslaught turned the period around by scoring 2 goals of their own before the end of the period and went into the 2nd intermission with a 6-3 lead.

It was Anthony Manfredi returning to the net for the 3rd period. I guess the coaching staff figured that it wasn't the goaltending costing them the game and if they were to going to make a run of it, Manfredi would be their guy.

Didn't work.

The Posse came out "storming" in the 3rd period and scored 2 goals in the first 5:o8 of the period and virtually cruised to an 8-3 shellacking of the Kamloops squad. There were a few scuffles in frustration before the game ended but the scoreboard spoke for itself. This was a humiliation and the boys knew it.

SCOREBOARD

The next and last regular season home game is next Saturday, Feb 13, against the Division leading Revelstoke Grizzlies.

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Coaching Rumours...

There were rumours flying around after the game that coach Greg Hawgood had been dismissed by team owner and GM Barry Dewar. I managed to contact Barry today (Monday) and he had a slightly different story.
Assistant coach Brent Fritz has to leave for a firefighter training course in Texas and Barry had managed to find someone competent enough to fill in and work with Hawgood. The new guy was going to be designated as a co-coach and apparently this didn't sit well with Hawgood and he felt that he was being fired. Dewar has denied that he had fired Hawgood but at the time we talked, he said that he did not know what the status of his coach would be by the end of the day.

We will keep you posted.

With the playoffs on the horizon and the Keystone Cup later in April, it's scary to think that this team, the way that they are playing now, will be anything more than pylons for the provincial champions of the 5 most western provinces who will be here to make their claim on the championship. We all hope that someone or something can change things for the better.

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Fans Prefer "No Change" Icing Rule

The poll is over and the fans have had their say.

Out of 45 votes, 30 (or 66%) or the fans feel that it would be beneficial for the KIJHL to institute the "no change" rule on icings.

Thank you to every one who voted.