For those readers who remember the hit TV show MASH, the Chase junior hockey team was all that this past weekend, except there was no humour.
Friday night, Oct. 24 at Art Holding Memorial Arena saw the Heat hosting the Spokane Braves.
The first period ended with no scoring. In the second, Kaleb Boyle scored, assisted by Trevor Okino, and that was it for the home side as the Braves went on to score five straight goals to claim a 5-1 win.
Sadly enough, goalie Michael Byer took a deep cut to the calf and had to leave the game at the end of the second. Young associate player Jacob Holland was called into action to fill the breach. Chase is now without both regular goalies due to serious injuries.
Sunday the 26th saw the Heat in Sicamous for a matinee game. The Heat were backstopped by a loaned associate player of the Kamloops Storm, Spencer Eschyschyn.
Kolten Moore got the lone goal for Chase in the middle of the first from Pat Brady and Connor Venne. The Eagles scored seven times for a 7-1 win. The Heat lost two more players to injury in this one, putting nine players in the stands due to injury. Several others remained on the ice, hurt, in an effort to stop the bleeding, to no avail.
This tough spell is character-building time as those who do, will, and those who don’t will find their way to an exit sign. The veterans will be called upon to lead the rookies out of this spell of trouble.
Next up at home are the Sicamous Eagles on Saturday, Nov. 1.
This is the fans’ last opportunity to donate to breast cancer research and to bid on a commemorative game-worn pink jersey.
