Posse Lose Last Regular Season Home Game

Submitted by W. George Elliott

Copyright 2018 Similkameen Gazette

Used by Permission

Posse Lose Last Regular Season Home Game

  Princeton Posse hosted Kamloops Storm February 2 at Princeton Arena. Although it was probably best known as Groundhog Day, the date was significant for two other reasons. It was the first visit to Princeton made by Kamloops this season and it was the last regular season home game for the Posse. The last reason was very likely why there was such a huge crowd on hand for the game.

  On paper, both teams were fairly evenly matched with Princeton having a two-point lead. However, on the ice it was a different matter. Kamloops scored first just 36-seconds into the opening frame. Kaine Comin got the marker with help from Hayden Dick and Reid Perepeluk. The Storm added another goal at 12:13 (Hayden Hirsch from Therann Kincross and Jayden Castle). The Storm continued to blow with their third goal recorded at 4:47 (Hayden Dick from Dario Piva and Jacob Callas). Kamloops continued to dominate the first period by added their fourth goal of the night with just 19.6-seconds left. Curtis Magas was credited with the score. Assists went to Brett Mero and Reid Perepeluk.

  The second period saw tensions flare at times and the penalty box was a popular stop for several players on both sides of the rink. The period was otherwise uneventful for the first 15-minutes or so. Kamloops out-shot Princeton by a large margin and it was becoming clear that the home team was feeling the frustration of not being able to get many shots near their intended target. At 3:45 the Posse had a break when the Kamloops penalty box uncomfortably held three players. Princeton set their trap and passed the puck back and forth looking for an opening. At 2:18, Ethan Schmor dumped the puck to Noah Brusse. Brusse sent a long pass to Lane French who was just inside the blue line. French didn’t hesitate. He cracked a one-timer that sent the puck sailing high enough to pass over the right shoulder of Kamloops goalie Jordan Wilde which fit nicely into the top corner of the net. The power play goal put some life into the Posse.

  There was also some good news during the intermission. The Lucky Puck Toss, where fans who have ‘bought’ pucks toss them at a target placed at centre ice for a chance to win a cash prize, was won. It’s not the first time this season, either. However, at this game two well-known participants shared the prize. Long-time resident and Posse supporter Bob Peters shared the progressive pot prize with multiple winner and Posse hockey dad Kendall Carter.

  The third period was a lot like the second. Kamloops out-shooting Princeton, more penalties for both teams and several missed opportunities with players out of position or manhandled in some form before, during or behind the play. Kamloops sealed the deal at 2:16 with a goal from Seiji Brown. Assists went to Ywta Plamondon and Jaxon Kjenstad.

  Final Score: Kamloops 5, Princeton 1. Shots on Goal: Kamloops 38, Princeton 30.

  The Posse travelled to 100 Mile House the following night to play the Wranglers in the first of five road trips to finish off their regular season. After falling to the Wranglers 8-4, the boys headed home. With less than an hour left in their trip, well after midnight, the Posse bus hit ice on Highway 5A north of Princeton near the Otter Lake Road turnoff at a 90-degree turn that everyone who has been on that road will remember in some way. The bus left the road avoiding a more serious situation thanks to the skills of the bus driver. There were no serious injuries and several Posse volunteers arrived on scene to transport players and others home.