Renowned ’70s rocker Meatloaf had a huge hit with “Two out of Three ain’t Bad” and that’s the way the puck bounced for the Heat this past week.
Wednesday the 10th the team visited the Sicamous Eagles and served up a golf expression Mulligan, as everything that could go wrong did, resulting in a 4-0 loss.
So the Heat had little more than a day to regroup prior to visiting the Summerland Steam on Friday the 12th.
In this contest things were hot and testy, with the Heat led by goalie Michael Byer, squeaking out a huge 4-3 victory.
In the first period, it was Cody Hodges from Alex Durbeniuk and Trevor Okino. In the second, Travis Beaubien scored with help from Cole Perison and Wesley Matsuda.
In the third, assistant captain Matsuda took advantage of a goaltender error to put the sides even on a timely unassisted marker from the side boards, which led to a beauty of a game-winner from the stick of Captain Kaleb Boyle from Kolten Moore and Okino. It was the first step in five of what is known as the “steak and lobster quest.”
Then came the early morning bus cruise of the Cariboo to reach the confines of the 100 Mile House Arena to take on the Wranglers at high noon. The Cariboo Cowboys and the Shuswap’s Hottest Product have a fierce divisional rivalry.
On this day, the Heat played disciplined, team-first hockey and spanked the hosts 4-1.
Once again led by “Stretch” Byer in the twine, it was time for a good old-fashioned Chase-style smackdown.
The Heat struck twice as the iron was hot, getting a pair in the first. It was Mostat from Tommy Brown and Okino, and then Beaubien from Okino. In the second, Austin Willier scored assisted by Zachary Fournier and Durbeniuk.
Hodges put a bow on the win with an empty netter in the third from Connor Harding.
This was the second step in the “steak and lobster quest.”
The Heat closed out 2014 with the “Cookie Extravaganza” home game on Wednesday the 17th, prior to hitting the highway to play the Spokane Braves and the Grand Forks Border Bruins.
The Christmas break follows and the Heat wish their community, fans and billet families a “goal-filled” festive season for all!
