KAMLOOPS, BC—The Kamloops Storm used a balanced attack, and played the ‘stats’ game to help one of their goaltenders in a 9-3 win over the visiting Summerland Steam in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League play on Friday (Feb 16).
The Storm got goals from eight different players as they raised their record to 31-11-0-1. Kamloops’ win, coupled with Sicamous falling 2-1 in Revelstoke resulted in the Storm taking over sole possession of second place in the KIJHL’s Doug Birks Division with one game to play in the regular season.
Kamloops led 4-0 after the first period and held a 5-1 advantage after two periods. Braycen Dube (Cranbrook, BC) had two goals for Kamloops. Singles came off the sticks of Teghan Mullin (Kamloops, BC), Loch Stefanishyn (Pinawa, MB), Evan Clark (Kamloops, BC),Devin Benson (Kamloo0s, BC), Nathan Bohmer (Logan Lake, BC), Evan Douglas (West Kelowna, BC) and Keenan Conn (Beaumont, AB).
Conn was the captain of Summerland before being dealt to Kamloops during the season. Clark’s goal was his 20th of the campaign as he added one assist. Ryan Larson (Kamloops, BC) had three assists to be named the “Red Tomato Pie” Player of the Game.
Joseph Krukowski (Airdrie, AB), Aden Miller (Edmonton, AB) and Trae Allen (Summerland, BC) had the goals for the Steam who fall to 9-28-0-6 on the season.
Josh Muir (Calgary, AB) faced 38 shots in goal for Summerland. He is winless in 12 starts this year (0-11-1). Colton Phillips-Watts (Quesnel, BC) started in the nets for Kamloops but switched with Dawson Holitizki (Kelowna, BC) on the fly five minutes into the third period. At the time, Kamloops was up 7-`. The move was made to give Holitzki enough minutes to give him ‘official’ status in the KIJHL stats.
Phillips-Watts improved his record to 19-10-0-1.
The Storm closes out the regular season Saturday (Feb 17) in 100 Mile House. The Wranglers are in a must-win situation in the battle for fourth place in the Birks division after being shutout 5-0 by the Heat in Chase on Friday. 100 Mile is two points back of Chase, who visits the Kelowna Chiefs .
The Steam are at home to end the regular season on Saturday against Princeton.
