Storm Lose To Posse In Key Matchup
KAMLOOPS, BC—It a game which had all the earmarks of a playoff style contest, the Kamloops Storm fell 3-1 on home ice to the visiting Princeton Posse in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League. The game was played Saturday (Jan 6) at the McArthur Island Olympic ice surface.
The game was scoreless after the first period and tied 1-1 after two periods.
Princeton forward Bryton Morrow (Stony Plain, AB) launched a high shot which beat Storm goaltender Colton Phillips-Watts (Quesnel, BC) top right hand side for the winning goal 2:43 into the third period. It was the 6’5” Morrow’s 13th goal of the year.
Ben Dods (Chilliwack, BC) added an insurance goal into an empty Kamloops net with less than three minutes left in regulation time.
Curtis Gould (Princeton, BC) gave the Posse a 1-0 lead in the dying stages of a power play in the second period. It was Gould’s first goal of the year. Vinay Junek (Yorkton, SK) had two assists for Princeton.
Kamloops’ lone marker came from captain Evan Clark (Kamloops, BC) late in the second period. Braycen Dube (Cranbrook, BC) and Devin Benson (Kamloops, BC) added assists. Dube was named the “Red Tomato Pie” Player of the game.
Benson and Junek extended their point scoring streaks to 12 games.
Kamloops outshot Princeton 34-23 in the contest. Gabe Osmond (Edmonton, AB) notched the victory in the nets. He is 11-3-0-1 on the year. Phillips-Watts fell to 12-7-0-1 on the season with the loss.
Kamloops has another tough contest coming up Sunday (Jan 7) when they entertain the defending KIJHL champion and Eddie Mountain Division leading Kimberley Dynamiters. Puck drop is 5 PM.
The Dynamiters lost 4-3 in overtime Saturday (Jan 6) in 100 Mile House.
Next action for the Posse is next Friday (Jan 12) when they host the Storm in Princeton.