What a difference a week makes when it comes to a Junior Hockey Club.
Last week, a lack of commitment or a competitive edge. This week, the Heat did an about turn, cranked up the volume and readied for some feisty battles.
On Friday, Nov. 16 the local lads prepared for an entertaining battle with the red hot Castlegar Rebels. After 60 minutes the visitors claimed the win, but just barely, and the fans went home happy with the hard work of the Heat.
Dom Hodges started things 5:02 in when he potted a power play marker assisted by Aiden Silzer-Hooker and Taylor Jordan. The Rebels then scored three in a row. Chase finished off scoring in the third with a power-play goal by Drew Wilde assisted by Hodges and Jordan. Jacob “Jake” Mattes faced 37 shots. Jordan and Wilde were named first and second stars.
On Saturday the team travelled to the winter wonderland of the Revelstoke Grizzlies.
Three periods, followed by two overtime periods, proved nothing as the two competitors fought to a 4 – 4 tie.
Mattes faced 49 shots overall and was named the first star.
Chase got two goals in the second period, Jordan from Shelby “Koz” Kostyshen and Kurtis “Johnny” Johnson, and Karsten Banack from Chad Wilde and McKenzie “Mac” Guardiero.
The Heat did all the scoring in the third, starting with the “Wilde Boys” Chad getting an even-strength marker from his brother Drew, and Ryan Beach with the fourth goal coming from “The Dominator” Hodges assisted by Silzer-Hooker.
The team has exceeded its season total from 2011-12.
After 24 games there are six wins, 15 losses, two ties and one overtime loss. They are nine points back of the Grizzlies who hold down the last spot in the division. The players are fully committed to making the playoffs and are playing with grit and determination.
Next up is the Kamloops Storm, Tuesday, Nov. 20 and then they hit the road for two games against the Spokane Braves and the Grand Forks Border Bruins.
