The local Chase Heat Junior Hockey Team earned a split over the past weekend in a pair of games sandwiched between the annual club golf tournament.
Friday night, Sept. 28, saw the visiting Heat take the match from their arch rival the Kamloops Storm by a 4-3 score.
In a contest where Jake Mattes between the pipes kept things close, the Heat were outshot 51 – 32 but prevailed on the scoresheet. First and second stars were Mattes and newcomer Shelby Kostyshen.
Kostyshen got the local side on the board in the first period at 6:57 assisted by Ryan Beach and brand new Ravi Chand.
Mattes faced 21 shots in the first frame and stopped them all.
Kamloops stormed back in the second with a pair to take the lead. In the third the Heat had three unanswered goals prior to one getting past Mattes with one second left.
Shayne Woodland, Connor Venne and Chand scored with Kostyshen and Chand picking up two assists a piece. A good one- third of the crowd in attendance were Heat supporters so the game was loud.
Saturday saw the players, fans, parents and billet parents coming together at Sunshore Golf Course for a friendly afternoon of comraderie followed by prizes and a barbeque.
Fifty-two golfers, 23 players and 102 steaks later, a beautiful day came to an end.
The hockey club thanks all the volunteers, prize donors and participants for “feeling the heat!” Special recognition goes to Peter van Hoof and Norman and Jean Stelter.
Sunday saw an afternoon home game with the visiting desert dogs from Osoyoos.
The Coyotes were just off an overtime win over the Storm the previous evening. This contest was all Coyotes on the scoresheet as they left town with a 5 – 0 shutout victory.
Osoyoos was fast and skilled and displayed a very effective transition game as they relentlessly forced the puck into the Heat end.
No power play goals were allowed as the local side continues to deploy an effective penalty kill on the five chances the Coyotes had. However, Chase was ineffective on eight power-play opportunities.
Devon Pearson came on in relief of Jake Mattes with 16:32 left in the third. Aiden Silzer-Hooker was named the third star.
Chase Heat nominee for the month of September in the KIJHL is stellar goalie Jacob “Jake” Mattes.
The team hits the road next weekend to play three games versus the Beaver Valley Nighthawks, the Castlegar Rebels and the Nelson Leafs before heading home to meet the Revelstoke Grizzlies on Friday Oct. 12 at 7 p.m.
The team sits at three wins and three losses early in the season.
