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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Rai Scores Two

As Manfredi Holds the Fort!

Gary Rai extended his point scoring streak to 6 games as he popped 2 goals, including the winner in the second period, to lead the team to their 2nd victory this week as the Kamloops Storm beat arch-rival Chase Chiefs 4-1 in Friday night action. But it was goaltender Anthony Manfredi who stood on his ear and made save after miraculous save in the Kamloops net to help his team the victory and a first star selection.

It was a very good game with the ebb and flow going back and forth. The Chiefs sent a barrage of shots (46) at Manfredi but had a heck of a time trying to figure him out. It may have been the best home performance by Manfredi this year. At the other end, Chiefs goaltender Riley Wall had a pretty good game and made some great saves himself but it seemed like 'one of those nights' that had the pucks just squeeking by him. Wall made 25 saves on 29 shots.

Taylor Stuart was the dominant playmaker as he set up Rai for both his goals. Stuart made brilliant passes to set up Rai for the easy goals. This combo could be a real force down the road and into the playoffs as Rai is now starting to perform as the player he was expected to be. Stuart just keeps getting better all the time as his skating has improved tremendously and his hands have softened enough to be a huge contributor on the score sheet (competition beware... his hands haven't softened enough to not pummel even the toughest of physical challengers).

Ty Jackson opened the scoring late in the first period, a result of some good work by line-mates Bevin Ollek and Jason Allesio. Rai scored 2 goals in the 2nd period along with another marker by Riley Orr to complete the Kamloops scoring. Jordan Wood scored on the power-play in the 3rd period to put Chase on the board and spoil an otherwise perfect performance by Manfredi.

I liked that coach Greg Hawgood mixed the lines, especially separating Ollek and Rai. Both these guys like to do their work close in to the goaltender and they didn't seem to mesh in previous games as suspected. It also took away from the play of Jason Allesio who didn't seem to see the puck enough to work his magic. I personally liked the line of Allesio, Jackson and Ollek... I hope that we see it again.

Kolten Moen was back after a short absence (not sure what it was) and played a good game. The only regular starter out right now is Brett Defrias with an upper body injury and is not expected back until the new year.

The Sicamous Eagles are in town tonight for another important divisional match-up as the Storm attemptes to climb back up in the standings. After last nights' win, the Storm are tied with Chase and the Princeton Posse for 3rd in the division. All these teams are playing tonight and it appears that Kamloops has the toughest game. Chase hosts the 6th place Penticton Lakers while Princeton hosts the Grand Forks Border Bruins who have the worst record in the entire KIJHL with only 3 wins and 7 points so far for the season.


the boxscore

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Kamloops Storm Wins Round One Against Chiefs

Chiefs Lose Composure in Wake of Penalty Calls

Game Writeup:

The Kamloops Storm took round one against the Chase Chiefs by a 3-2 score, at McArthur Island Sports and Events Centre Sunday afternoon.

The Storm opened the scoring at the four-minute mark of the first period with Catlin McLeod getting his first of the season. The goal came after discussions with the goal judge a minute and half later when the play stopped due to Chase forward Tyson Bentley putting the puck behind Anthony Manfredi. Bentley’s goal was disallowed after the earlier play was discussed with the goal judge.

The Chiefs would get on the score sheet before the period was over with Brock Balson scoring.

In the second period the Chiefs took the lead with Devon Hobbs scoring. Kamloops would tie things up on the powerplay with 20 seconds remaining in the period. Jason Alessio scored his sixth of the season.

The Storm would collected the game winner at 3:52 of third period with Bevin Ollek’s team leading ninth goal of the season.

Chiefs head coach Tyler Bolt received a game misconduct at 10:30 of the third period.

In total the Storm had 24 minutes in penalties called against them while the Chiefs had 110.

The Storm improved to a 7-2-0-2 record, as they enter a five-game road trip.

Next up for the Storm play their next five games on the road. On Oct. 16 the Storm are in Beaver Valley against the Nitehawks, Oct. 17 in Spokane against the Braves and Oct. 18 in Grand Forks against the Border Bruins. The Storm are in Princeton Oct. 20 and round out their road trip on Oct. 23 against Chiefs in Chase.

Next home game is Oct. 24 when the Storm hosts the Chiefs at 7 p.m. It’s Men in Pink night at McArthur Island Sports and Events Centre. Part proceeds from the game will be donated to cancer charities. Fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of the cause.

• The Kamloops Storm new website has lauched at kamloopsstormhockey.com

Harpreet Sidhu

Kamloops Storm Hockey

Public Relations and Communications coordinator

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Our View:

The game started out well but it didn't take long for the shenanigans with the officiating crew to start... with the Chiefs coming out on the short end.

The first major gaff occurred when Catlin McLeod seemingly put the puck in the net at around the 4 minute mark of the period. The goal light went on but the referee/linesmen did not blow the play down. At this point Tyson Bentley (Chiefs) picked up the puck in his own zone and started weaving his way through the Kamloops team, taking it end to end and finishing off with a pretty goal against Kamloops puck stopper, Anthony Manfredi. It was a highlight reel goal that, to the disgust of the Chiefs team, was called back after the officiating crew consulted the goal judge and the goal was awarded to Kamloops. In fairness on this one, at least the officials consulted the goal judge. If it was in, it was in, and as I watched the reaction of the Chiefs, it was disappointing but they took it in stride and carried on.

Other than this one error (and an understandable one at that), the officiating was pretty good in the 1st period. The players got to play, the flow of the game was exciting and the fans loved the end-to-end play.

Frustration from the Chiefs bench started early in the 2nd period. There was a call on Brady Fuller (Kam) for roughing and Chiefs coach, Tyler Bolt, for some reason, lost it enough on the bench while talking with the referee and got the boot. It wasn't long after that the Chiefs on-ice discipline started to go south and the referee wasn't in a mood to put up with it. By the end of the period, the Chiefs managed to accumulate 2 more 10 minute misconducts, one for arguing with the ref (Tyson Bentley) and another for a hit-to-the-head (Vonk). Taylor Stuart for the Storm got the boot too in this period for a hit-from-behind call.

With the score tied a 2 going into the 3rd period, Kamloops picked up an early goal from Bevin Ollek as he did some spade work around the net in front of Chiefs goaltender, Riley Wall. This time it was Chief veteran Darren Pittendreigh that voiced his dismay to referee, Jason Chambers, and ended up with a 10 minute misconduct. Less than 2 minutes later it was Tyson Bentley who lost his composure and picked up a 2 min unsportsmanlike penalty + 10 minute misconduct + game misconduct.

Trailing 3-2, the Chiefs finally started to play 5 on 5 and carried their fair share of the play. During a particularly effective offensive barrage the Chiefs scored again but it was also called back due to a rather obvious penalty by Kevin Hobbs for goaltender interference on Anthony Manfredi, just before the shot was taken from the point (can't remember who let the shot go). In addition, Pittendreigh lost it again and picked up a 10 min misconduct and a game misconduct.

After having their line-up reduced significantly, the Chiefs still managed to keep it close. They continued to take penalties (4 more minors) of which Kamloops did not take advantage of. The Chiefs were given a chance to even the score when they had a 19 second power play at the end of the period.

It was deja vu all over again, except this time it wasn't the Storm that incurred the wrath of a dazed and confused officiating crew. There were a number of blown offside calls and waived icings that may have made a difference to add to the mix of frustration. Although the Kamloops fans were happy that they won this game, they were not as elated as they normally are, perhaps in sympathy for the frustration of the Chase fans. The Kamloops fans know all too well what it's like to be hanging on to the gooey, stinky end of the stick.

As we noted last week, the players don't come to the rink with the intentions of having the game deteriorate like we have seen over the last 2 weeks. Both times, the catalyst was provided by the officiating by not making the right calls and retaliating to defend their honour by showing us all how they have the power to "control" the game the way that they want.

It's a sad state of affairs that this has to be the topic on a weekly basis, but for the most part, these guys are stealing the show so, they get the print.

Dave Ouellette
the KamloopsStormWriter

Chiefs Calm the Storm

Rematch Tonight at Mac Park Sports Centre by Barry Dewar

The Storm came out flat last night against the Chiefs, who get full marks for the win. While we came back hard in the second period it was not enough. The final score was 5-3 for the Chiefs. That was the seventh meeting between the two teams and tonight is the final regular season match up. Chase holds the season series lead 4-3. Tonight the Storm want to even that record so that they can go into playoffs with a positive finish.

The Storm were without several key players due to a line brawl last weekend. Forwards Ryan Hanes, Scott Kirkham and Austin Goode and defenseman Daniel Medland Marchen all watched the game from the stands and will be in the lineup tonight. The Storm brought up affiliate players Duncan Shultz and Daniel Buchanan for the game and both played well.

In the previous 7 games both teams have won one game in the other teams building. The total scoring has Kamloops with 25 goals while Chase has 20. Kamloops has had 2 lopsided wins 5-1 Jan 23 in Kamloops, a Dominos Pizza night and and 8-1 win in Chase on October 24. the rest of the games have been 2 goals or less. Riley Wall, a Kamloops minor hockey product has won all the games in net for Chase and has started every game against the Storm but Jordan Bytelaar did play 43 minutes in the October 24 game and 20 minutes in the Jan 23 game although Wall got the loss in both of those games. Manfredi started the first 6 games against Chase and Kyle Graham started last night. One of the Chase wins included an empty net goal, so other than 2 games they have all been close.

The Storm take on the Kimberley Dynamiters a 2pm Sunday start tomorrow. It is the return to Kamloops of Tory Caldwell who was traded away at the start of the season. Tory has not played the last couple of games for the Dynamiters but I am sure he will be looking to show his old team that they made a mistake. The game also will have Dominic Alec in the lineup. Dominic came to camp in September but thought he would have a bigger role with another team. He is playing well for the Dynos.

Tonight’s match up with Chase is also a Diabetes fundraiser . All of the jerseys being worn will be auctioned off. Minimum bid is $50 and some have some gas certificates included courtesy of Husky/Mohawk Gas stations in Kamloops. A great cause a very unique prize and maybe some gas sounds too good to be true.

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Playoff home dates will be February 24, February 28 March 2 and March 3 all games at 7pm. Get your tickets for one or all of the games. On sale now.