Kamloops Storm Ends 2 Game Winning Streak

Lose Ground to Opponents After Loss to the Sicamous Eagles

Things were looking brighter after Friday nights' win over the Chase Chiefs but the Sicamous Eagles made sure that a little piece of Grinch was left on the minds of the Storm players after they handed Kamloops a Merry Xmas loss on home ice last night.

The Storm started off well, capitalizing on their first power play in the 1st period. It was Rylee Orr who capitalized with a sharp angled shot while Eagles goaltender was down and scrambling. Assists went to Duncan Schultz and Gary Rai.

The Eagles, sporting a balanced line-up were not fazed by the early Kamloops goal as they slowly but surely took control of puck possession. On their 2nd power play attempt, late in the the period, it was Cain Franson who scored to tie the game. Shortly after, Kamloops clutch goaltender, Anthony Manfredi, got crossed up behind his own net and ended up giving up the puck to a dangerous Derek Huisman who got it back to the point where Julius Krolik fired a rocket. Manfredi, scrambling to get back into position, made the first save but the Eagles Daryl Devries was their to bury the rebound and take a 2-1 lead going into the 2nd period. Sicamous outshot Kamloops 21-7 in the first period.

The Storm, although a little deflated after the sloppy goal in the 1st period, came out buzzing to start the 2nd and took advantage of an early power play opportunity. It was Gary Rai setting up Taylor Stuart from the behind the net with Stuart finishing it off with a quick shot to beat Eagles goaltender, Tyler Steel. With the game tied at 2, the two teams played back and forth hockey, the kind that was indicative of the score. But it was late in the period when it looked like Kamloops had "hit the wall" so to speak, floundering around in their own end. With numerous chances to get the puck out of the zone the Storm players on the ice looked exhausted and couldn't clear the biscuit. Finally with a costly turnover in front of the net and some slick maneuvering by Daryl Devries and the slick Derek Huisman , Jordan Hynes scored with 10.5 seconds left on the clock to take a 3-2 lead into the 2nd intermission. This appeared to be the "TSN turning point" of the game.

The 3rd period produced only one goal, that from the stick of captain Aaron Buat on a 3-way precision passing play with linemates Scott Fellnermeyer and Jared Tenvaanholt. The Storm pressured occasionally but goaltender Tyler Steel held the fort and the Eagles got their Xmas cheer with a 4-2 road win at the Mac Island Sport Centre.

On the injury front... Duncan Schultz left after the first period with a lower body injury. He did not return the game.

The loss leaves the Storm 2 points behind Chase and Princeton (teams the defeated in the past week) and all alone in 5th spot in the division. Chase shut out Penticton 4-0 while Princeton man-handles the Grand Forks Border Bruins, 5-1.

The Christmas Break is now upon us and the Storm will be on the road to start the new year taking on Princeton, Revelstoke and Chase before returning home to face the Sicamous Eagles again on January 9th.

Have a Happy Holiday Season where ever you are and we will see you in the New Year.

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Peter and Leanne wish all the fans of the Kamloops Storm

a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season!

Storm Humbled by Eagles

Veteran Sicamous Team Looks Like Class of the Division... so far

The Sicamous Eagles rolled into the Mac Park Sports Centre about an hour late (broken down bus) but there was nothing late about their performance.

The Eagles veteran starting line of Aaron Buat, Jarryd Tenvaanholt and Jordan Hynes quickly showed their superiority by out-skating and out-checking the Storm's starting line of Duncan Schulz, Tyler Jackson and Taylor Stuart . The depth of the Eagles, who have at least 12 returnee's from last year's divisional finalists, was apparent all evening.

Derek Husiman led Sicamous with 2 goals, one on the power play and one just as the power play ended. Scott Fellnermayr notched his first goal of the season.

The Storm welcomed 2 new 16 year old players, Logan Hawgood and Brent Defrias, both defensemen, to the line-up. They were put under fire early and often. Defrias was paired with team captain, Mike McCance, while Hawgood spent most of the evening paired with Dylan Becker. Although both players are good skaters and understand the game well, their size may be a difficult obstacle during the season. Add Mike McCance and the Storm have 3 starting d-men at 5'7" or less.

The bright spot of the evening for the Storm was the play of all-star goaltender, Anthony Manfredi. The young and inexperienced defensive corps gave up break-away after break-away with Manfredi coming up big on the save every time. There was a short spell in the 2nd period where Manfredi couldn't keep the puck out when the Eagles were dominating down low, picking up a rebound and a couple of deflections.

Spencer Donaldson scored the only goal for the Storm. Normally a defenseman, Donaldson played as a forward this game.

Forward Bevin Ollek picked up his 2nd major infraction in 2 home games as he was nailed with a 5 minute hit-to-the-head major and a game misconduct. It was our opinion that the penalty should have been a 2 min. minor and a 10 min misconduct but referee, Nick Swain didn't see it that way. It's pretty hard for a guy that's 6'5" (Ollek) to make a hit on a smaller player without coming near his head... period. Obviously Ollek is going to have to adjust his style of play if he hopes to play a whole game at home this year.

The Storm have a chance to redeem themselves tonight as the Penticton Lakers are in town tonight for a 7 pm start.
See you there!

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Our camera work has significantly improved this year. We have 3 young guys (Mike and Justin Potestio and Morgan Sidkey)taking turns on a moving camera and bringing you more shots by following the play and offering closeups of the benches, skirmishes, penalty box and of course, the goaltenders. Thanks guys.