Sand traps, speed bumps and snoozes.
What do those three things have in common? They all impede progress.
After the previous weekend of two big wins to boost the spirits of the hockey club faithful, the local Heat served up cold leftovers of previous weeks’ ineffective play.
The highly spirited team of the past weekend came out on Thursday the 8th against the Kelowna Chiefs and played like they hadn’t woken up from an afternoon nap. The Chiefs took a 7 – 2 victory back to the Little Apple while our boys caught up on some sleep.
Jacob Mattes faced 51 shots between the pipes and should have sued for abandonment.
Connor Venne got one in the first assisted by Kurtis Johnson and in the second feisty Taylor Jordan got one assisted by Venne and Wade Cline.
On Friday night the locals bussed to Armstrong to face the division-leading Knights. North Okanagan scored four goals in the first two frames to take a 4 – 0 lead into the third period. Mattes came on in relief of Devon Pearson halfway through the contest. Both young men should be looking for legal aid.
Apparently Coach Fox blistered the paint off the dressing room walls as our boys woke up long enough to pot a pair of goals. The first from Shelby Kostyshen from Johnson and Venne. The second from Venne assisted by Aiden Silzer-Hooker and Kostyshen. The Knights ended scoring with an empty netter and a 5 – 2 victory.
The injury bug has hit the team as a number of regulars watched both games from the stands. However, good teams play through adversity and one period of decent play in two games will likely lead to player movement as we continue to build a winning franchise.
Next up are the Castlegar Rebels this Friday, Nov. 16 and then the Heat head to Revelstoke for another major encounter with the Grizzlies on Saturday the 17th.
The hockey club greatly appreciates the support of the “Heaters” fan base – may you have many warm nights through the cold of winter.