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.

Kamloops Storm Digs in Deep

For Come-From-Behind Win Over the Lakers

Saturday night's tilt between the Kamloops Storm and the Penticton Lakers at the Mac Island Sport Centre took place in the smaller NHL ice venue and the Storm were able to do something they haven't done for a while... come from behind and take the much needed win.

The game started out looking like another head shaker in the first period. Although the Storm out-shot the visiting Lakers 16-11, defensive errors proved costly as the Lakers were able to split the defense twice to beat Anthony Manfredi for two goals. Brendan Persley scored his first of two as he split the Kamloops rear-guards and put one high up over Storm goaltender Anthony Manfredi while the Lakers 2nd goal, off the hands of Lars Hepso, was strikingly similar. To compound their woes, the Storm managed to hit the iron twice during the period with the puck choosing to favour the Lakers. The prognosis after the first period wasn't bright.

The Storm seemed to tighten up their defensive play in the 2nd period and continued to pressure the Lakers offensively, hemming them in their own zone and forcing the play to the net. Their tenaciousness paid off. Late in the period, the Storm connected on 2 goals to pull temporarily even on the scoreboard 2-2. Reliable Tyler Jackson started it off on a pretty 3-way-passing-play with Bevin Ollek and Taylor Stuart to beat Penticton netminder Kenny Quinn. Just over a minute later Rylee Orr deflected a low point shot from Brett DeFrias to tie the score... there seemed to be a light at the end of the tunnel. However, that light was short live as a defensive error again caused a 2 on 1 break and Persley again buried one past Manfredi with 2:24 left in the period to take a 3-2 lead into the 2nd intermission.

It was now gut check time. After fighting back and then losing the lead in the previous period the Storm players were looking for some answers... would they reinforce their will to claw back to win the game or would they go through the 3rd period looking at the glass half empty. It didn't take long to distinguish which way they would choose.

The Storm came out flying in the 3rd period, exerting a lot of pressure in the Penticton zone and generally controlling the play. With only 1:35 gone in the period, the Lakers Nick Beisher took a tripping penalty on Gary Rai and the Storm connected on the the PP to draw even at 3-3. Beven Ollek completed a sweet passing play by Duncan Schultz to Jackson who shot through a crowd and left a juicy rebound for the 6' 5" forward who has proved all year that he can score in close to the net.

Just a minute and 43 seconds later, it was Riley Orr who buried his second goal of the evening beating Quinn on the open side, completing a crisp passing play with Alessio Tomassetti and Jason Alessio who did some marvelous work deep in the Penticton zone. It was the Storm's first lead of the game and that's the way the game ended. Penticton lost their "giddy-up" that put them ahead early in the game and Anthony Manfredi closed the door on any additional chances that came their way.

The fans went home happy with the coaches and players gave a sigh of relief with the result of their comeback effort.

McDonald's 3 Stars:

1) Rylee Orr - 2 goals, including GW
2) Allessio Tomassetti - 2 assists (8 points in 4 games since joining the Storm)
3) Brendan Persley - 2 goals, 1 asst (possibly the best player on the ice this evening)

Boxscore

Next home game... Sunday Feb 7 vs the Princeton Posse.

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sponsored by: The Doyle Group

Peter Doyle (Sales Rep) Leanne Doyle-Hicks (Sales Rep)
Riverside Realty	867 Victoria Street Kamloops, BC 250-371-1119 (direct) 250-851-4099 (after hours) Email Peter & Leanne

storm moves

The Kamloops Storm signed 20 year old forward Alessio Tomassetti and 19 year old goaltender Alex Christianson.Christianson played half of last season with the storm and is looking forward to coming back helping the team succeed.Tomassetti reminds people that have seen him play of David Gore from last years team.

Fans of Medvescak Bears

Croatian Fans Exhibit Rabid Team Loyalty

After seeing 2 games here in Zagreb, Croatia, it is quite apparent that the fans of the Medvescak Bears are a proud and loyal group. The 7000 seat arena, many clad in team paraphernalia was packed to the rafters for both games this past weekend as their Bears have now won 4 games in a row (the first time all season) and have climbed from 8th place to 6th place in the competitive Erte Bank Liga here in Eastern Europe.

The Erste Bank Liga is now an expanded Austrian League which includes 6 teams from Austria, 2 in Slovenia, 1 in Hungary and the Bears here in Medvescak. The league has many top players from the local countries but generally, the stars are imports from North America. Each team seems to be laced with ex-NHL'ers, AHL'ers and draft pics that found their niche over here. The league also attracts former NHL coaches like Salzberg's Pierre Paget and Medvescak's Ted Sator.

But it is the fans that make the experience unforgettable. They remind me somewhat of the Kamloops Blazer Fans back in the old Memorial Arena when they packed the barn to the rafters, smoking was allowed in the the bowels of the building, Crazy Stu worked people into a frenzy and the fans were allowed to show their loyalty with noise makers and seat stompers. Each game is a event, every goal is a celebration of song. It's quite refreshing. The fans seem to have a reasonable knowledge of the game and appreciation for some of the finer points of both offensive and defensive strategy.

The most inspiring display of team appreciation occurs at the end of each home game. Unlike North American fans who rush out with 3 minutes left in a game to avoid a traffic jam, these rabid fans don't leave until the team returns to the ice to acknowledge the crowd with an encore wave and a cruise around the glass for some high fives. The bar, located in the arena stays open long after the final whistle and is a focal point for fans, team personnel and players to meet after the game.

Over the next week, we (my wife and I ) will be following the team on the road. Today we take a 3hour drive to Hungary for a game tonight. The team will return back to Zagreb, Croatia after the game. Most teams in the league are within a reasonable driving distance so very few nights are spent in hotels. This week will be an exception as the team will later travel to Salzberg, Austria (of Sound of Music fame) and then a game in Slovenia two days later... it will be their only multiple night road trip of the season.

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There is a 9 hr time difference between here and Kamloops. I did manage to catch part of each Storm game (thanks to the internet).

tidbit... I was talking to the coach (Sator) about Kamloops and he asked me about this kid who used to play for him in Boston... Greg Hawgood... I was happy to say that he was alive and well living in Kamloops and coaching the Storm... A big hello Greg, from Ted.

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good luck to the Storm this upcoming week... we will posting again before we return to Kamloops for the home game on Jan 29...




here is a post goal celebration... my apologies for the clarity of the video... it was my first attempt with the camera that I have... notice the blue haze... just about everyone smokes... they can't smoke in the stands but the concourse areas are so full of cigarette smoke that it just seeps into the play area... the players notice it when they play... ugh!

split this weekend

this past weekend the storm played the sicamous eagles in sicamous on friday night and came out with a 3-2 win in ot,however saturday at home in front of a noisy crowd the team lost 4-2 to the penticton lakers next action for the storm is friday night at home and saturday night at home i will have an update from practice on wednesday.

Trade Deadline Looms

Dewar Looking Hard for Reinforcements for Keystone Cup Bound Storm

With only hours left until the junior hockey trade deadline, Kamloops Storm owner and GM, Barry Dewar has a half a dozen cards left to wheel and deal with. According to Barry last night at the Mac Island Sport Centre, he has 2 players on the line to sign today. He said during our 1st period intermission interview that he was looking for guys to fill spots in at forward, defense and a 3rd quality goaltender for the playoff run.

The deadline is for acquiring players that are carded elsewhere. There is an additional month available to sign players that are not carded (free agents) in any league that are sitting around waiting for a phone call.

Barry was pretty tight lipped about any potential signings so we will have to wait until Monday to find out any moves he makes.

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I'll be taking a break from broadcasting and blogging the Storm games. Mike Potestio and Barry Dewar are expected to pick up the slack for the next 3 home games as I will be touring Eastern Europe watching my son play in the Austrian Professional League... stay tuned to this blog as I will submit some updates while we tour Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary (providing that I have decent internet access).

I expect that team asst trainer Jeremy Salamandyk will provide updates on Storm games while I'm away.

We will be back for the home game against the North Okanagan Knights on Jan 30.

the KamloopsStormWriter

Kamloops Storm Slide in New Year

Charity Continues Through Holiday Season

The Kamloops Storm just can't seem to gain any momentum and as long as they keep handing out gifts like Santa at Christmas they are getting what they deserve.

It was a long night at the Mac Island Sports Centre where the 2nd place Sicamous Eagles made the first visit to Kamloops in the new year. And the Storm were perfect hosts.

After taking a 5-2 pounding in Chase on Friday, the Storm came out with some zing at home on Saturday night at home. The first and 2nd periods were close with Sicamous goaltender Tyler Steel and Storm tender, Anthony Manfredi both displaying their talents. The Eagles held a 1-0 first period lead on a power play goal by Quinn Rempel, his first of 2 for the evening.

In the 2nd period, Kamloops came out flying but could not bury the biscuit until they found themselves down 2-0, courtesy of a give-away beside the Kamloops net where Andrew Nunn jumped on a loose puck and stuffed it under Manfredi on the short side. Jason Alessio cut the lead to 2-1 when he buried the puck close in on Steel but it was Bob Turnbull of the Eagles who picked up his own rebound in the Kamloops zone and chipped it past a sprawling Manfredi to make it 3-1.
The last 3.5 minutes of the period were a little frantic. Bevin Ollek buried a rebound on the power-play to make the score 3-2. Then, Jordan Wilkens, who probably played the worst game of his life, took a holding penalty and Quinn Rempel scored his 2nd power play goal of the evening. Finally, with 1:10 left in the period, Alessio popped his 2nd goal of the game and 3rd point of the period to make the score 4-3 going into the 2nd intermission. The Storm ended up out shooting the Eagles in the period 19-13.

It was the 3rd period that proved to be the demise of the Storm. The Eagles came out flying while Storm goaltender Anthony stood on his ear trying to keep the team in the game. Enter the "Big Giveaway". While Kamloops were on the power play, Wilken's was the last man, carrying the puck in his own zone when he got stripped of the puck by Cain Franson who promptly put a move on Manfredi to notch the short-handed goal. Less than 3 minutes later, Wilkens, who didn't learn the first time, committed the same sin again and Daryl Devries of the Eagles slipped another puck by Manfredi to complete the scoring. In both cases, Manfredi was caught sitting in deep in his net trusting his d-man. With both giveaways occurring in the middle slot, Fredi had little time to react and got beaten on a couple of real skilled dekes.

Sitting solidly in 5th spot, if the playoffs were to start today, Kamloops would be playing Chase in the first round.

MacDonald's 3 Stars:

#1 - Cain Franson-Eagles (1G 3A)
#2 - Jason Alessio - Storm (2G 1A)
#3 - Quinn Rempl - Eagles ( 2G)

scoreboard

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The Storm started the new year out pretty well. They lost an overtime thriller 4-3 in Princeton on Jan 2 to salvage 1 point and then on Jan 3 they laid a lick'n on the first place Grizzlies, in Revelstoke.
This past Friday night they took a 5-2 pounding at the hands of the Chase Chiefs (who now have Kamloops native Colten Defrias back in the lineup after a long injury recovery).

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The All-Star Game is being held in Beaver Valley this coming Tues. Kamloops had 3 players selected to play in the game however only Bevin Ollek and Mike McCance will make the trip to represent the Storm. Centreman Tyler Jackson also had an invite but cannot make the trip for undisclosed reasons. Good luck guys, enjoy the experience.

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