When Zachary Fournier picks it up a notch, the third-year power-forward makes a big difference.
He was just that when the Heat travelled snowy roads to meet up with the Posse from Princeton.
However, we must first tell the tale first of the Heat hosting the Revelstoke Grizzlies at the Art Holding Memorial Arena on Friday , Feb. 3.
The opposition got their only goal of this contest off the stick of flamboyant Jon Vandermolen, who skated down the ice unmolested to beat Nic Bruyere in the net. Embarrassed, the Chase crew woke up and took over, scoring a pair in each of the second and third periods.
In the second, Josh Bourne scored a power-play goal from Dayton Keith and Michael Fidanza, and then Fidanza got an extra-man marker from Bourne and Keith. That trio combined for both goals.
In the third, Spencer Farstad from Kaden Black and Mason Palaga made it 3-1. With 20 seconds left, Pat Brady scored an end-to-end empt-netter from Palaga and Bruyere. End result, a 4-1 win and the fans left happy.
Saturday, Feb. 4 the Heat met the Posse in Princeton. Bus legs and overall lack of detail allowed Princeton to score in the first, Noah Brusse doing the honour.
In the second, the Heat came on strong. Pesky Kolten Moore from Fournier scored short-handed to even the score. Then Farstad from Fournier and Black popped the puck in the net. Fidanza from Keith and Bourne got a power-play goal to make it 3-1. In the third, Fournier on the power play from Palaga and Farstad increased the lead. Then Posse player Chad Kimmie got the locals stirred up before Palaga fired a rink-length, short-handed emptynetter to seal the deal. Bruyere stopped 34 of 35 in backstopping the Chasers. Fournier managed one goal, two assists and four minutes in penalties to lead the charge.
So with 60 points to this point, the Heat remain in first place in their division with five regular season games left. Next weekend is a busy one. With a win over the Wranglers on Friday, Feb. 10, the Heat can clinch first place in the Doug Birks Division. Then the locals bus to the Stoke to face the Grizzlies on Saturday the 11th. Family Day, Monday the 13th, sees the Kamloops Storm come to AHMA for a 2 p.m. Jersey Day family friendly event.
Wear a hockey jersey to the game and you could win a $50 gift certificate from The Bavarian Haus.
Discount playoff tickets are available for purchase for the first two playoff games until Friday, Feb. 17. The Heat awards banquet is 5 p.m. Sunday the 19th at Adams Lake Indian Band gymnasium, tickets at home games. Don’t wait till the last minute to attend this annual bun toss, silent auction and gourmet feast.