With two more wins this past weekend, the Chase Heat hit an all-time franchise record with eight wins in a row. As a result, they continue to lead both the Doug Birks Division and the Okanagan-Shuswap Conference. All three teams ahead of them in the overall KIJHL standings have two more points.
The weekend’s games saw the Heat travel to Kelowna and earn a 5-1 road win. This was followed by perhaps the most entertaining game of the season as the Revelstoke Grizzlies visited the Art Holding Memorial Arena, the result was tight 5-4 win for the home side.
Friday night in the Little Apple saw tender Nic Bruyere do everything but wash the dishes as he stopped 46 of 47, to backstop the visitors with a stellar performance. Michael Howlett got things rolling in the first from Simon Faber. In the second two more scored, Josh Bourne from Michael Fidanza and Howlett, and Kaden Black on the powerplay from Spencer Farstad and Zachary Fournier. At the start of the third, a napping Chase side saw Brody Dale for the Chiefs get a powerplay goal, but that was all as the lads from the Little Shuswap popped in two more for the win. The fifth at the AHMA the Heat were tested by very hungry Grizzlies from Revelstoke, Saturday. Zak “Larceny” Larson was in net and stopped 28 of 32 to earn a W for the 300 fans in attendance. No scoring in the first, but in the second Revelstoke came out flying. The biscuit was in the wrong basket in 30 seconds from the stick of Michael Lenoury on the powerplay. Local hockey product Cody Hodges scored on the powerplay assisted by Fidanza and Bourne. Fidanza gave Chase the lead from Bourne and Howlett on a beautiful three way passing play. The Grizzlies got a spectacular shorthanded tally from Daniel Fisher and the game was tied at 2-2. However, Palaga on the powerplay from Pat Brady and Black had the fans relaxing for less than three minutes when Tyler Chavez Leech pounded a powerplay goal past Larson. The goal tap was still in full flow as Fidanza restores the lead from Cam Watson and Fournier, and prior to the end of the second Brady from Evan Hughes and Hodges makes it 5-3. Eight goals in 20 minutes had the fans buzzing. In the third, Leech scored his second goal for Revelstoke, creating a great deal of tension.
This one goes in the books as a hard earned 5-4 character-building victory.
Next up for the Heat is a rare Thursday home encounter with the Sicamous Eagles, Saturday Nov. 12 finds the Summerland Steam in town.