The duo of Chase Heat goaltenders led the squad to a five-point week.
Nic Bruyere got the ball rolling with a superb performance on Wednesday the 25th in Kamloops versus the Storm.
At the end of 60 minutes, #31 had stopped 58 of 59 attempts to score by the Loops lads, leading the Heat to a 2-1 victory.
Michael Fidanza scored in the first period from Cody Hodges. In the second, the Storm’s Garrett Ewert tied things up. In the third, Fidanza, with his second of the contest, popped in the game-winner from Josh Bourne and Hodges.
On the heels of that performance, the Chase crew headed to Revelstoke for a Friday night the 27th clash versus the Grizzlies. After letting the bears gain a three-goal lead, Bruyere shut the door, stopping 33 of 36 shots he faced.
In the first, the Stoke squad scored a pair from Jacob Bourchier and Raphael Bassot. In the second, David Lenzin made it 3-0. While short-handed, the Heat’s Travis Beaubien and Kolten Moore played hot potato with the puck, with Moore slipping the biscuit in the basket from close range. The comeback was on as Bourne scored a power-play tally from Beaubien and Fidanza. In the third, Kaden Black tied the match from Spencer Farstad and Mason Palaga. Two periods of overtime solved absolutely nothing with the result being a 3-3 tie.
Saturday night the 28th saw the seldom seen North Okanagan Knights play at the Art Holding Memorial Arena.
Zak Larson led the way, repelling 32 of 34 scoring chances by the visitors. Larson had to be good as his teammates had significant problems throughout the game shifting gears and using common sense. In spite of that, in the first Bourne scored from Fidanza and Ryan Okino. Then Beaubien got a nice power-play tally from Moore and Fidanza.
The Knight’s Levi Harris kept his team close with a power-play goal.
In the second, there was no scoring. Moore scored on the power play in the third from Beaubien and Hodges.
The visitors were awarded a penalty shot and Brady Marzocco made no mistake to make the game 3-2. That’s how it ended in a penalty-filled contest, as the Heat earned five of a possible six points in the three games played.
The Heat remain in first place in their division and sixth overall in the 20 team KIJHL. The Grizzlies from Revelstoke will make an appearance in Chase on Friday the 3rd of February.
There are seven games left in the regular season, with the playoffs starting Feb. 24. Tickets for the first two games are available at home games at the regular prices. After season’s end, all tickets are $2 more as your team adjusts for the post season.
The Heat Awards Banquet is Sunday the 19th and tickets are available at all home games.
The Heat board of directors, staff, volunteers and players thank the fans, sponsors and donors for their continued support of the hottest product on cool ice!