The Sicamous Eagles are on the hunt. Sure, they want wins, but right now the more pressing need is for a goalie.
The team lost both its starting and backup goalies to concussion over the weekend.
Kris Joyce was taken out early in Friday’s game against the 100 Mile House Wranglers in what general manager Wayne March called a deliberate attempt to injure.
Then in Saturday’s contest against the Kelowna Chiefs, backup goalie Chris Turner received a concussion after a kick to the head while trying to make the save, with five minutes left in the third period.
Both goalies are predicted to be out for six weeks.
“It was a very costly weekend for us, very costly,” said March, who was critical of the minor penalties that were handed out in both cases.
March felt the penalties should have been at least game misconducts, rather than the two-minute minors.
He says referees are not calling head shots due to the strict policy on suspensions for those type of infractions, and this is leaving players vulnerable.
“These losses could now affect our playoff run. A goalie’s very important to the success of the team. We’ve got two more big games coming up this weekend against Revelstoke and 100 Mile and we’re scrambling.”
The Eagles finished the game with affiliated player Tristan Quiring in net. They are now approaching the KIJHL to find a new goalie through BC Amateur Hockey.
Despite the loss of Joyce, Friday, the Eagles managed to squeak out a win in double overtime with a score of 5-4.
“It made for an exciting contest,” said March.
Jameson Stoski potted the tying goal with only 35 seconds left in the game to allow the play to continue.
In the second period of overtime, where play goes to a three-on-three format, Nathan Grieve scored the winner, assisted by Stewart Coyle.
Other goals were scored by Tyson Taylor, Riley Jepson and Colin Blake.
In Saturday night’s home contest, the Eagles were down by two after two periods of play. Matthew Maetche scored in the third period to bring the Eagles to within one, but this time, the tying goal proved elusive.
