With one weekend left of hockey, the local team is finishing off the season with a thud versus a bang.
As a brand new franchise, this season has been a building year with expectations of bright things to come in the future. That being said, the past week saw the “warm” Heat play three games against division rivals.
On Wednesday, Feb. 8 the team travelled to Armstrong to meet the North Okanagan Knights, currently in third place in the division. After letting the Knights score the first five goals, the Heat got two late in the second, the first from Kevin Leschuk on a penalty shot and the second from Dom Hodges on the power play. The Knights replied with two more in the third to give Chase a 7-2 loss. Russell Sanderson went the distance between the posts, stopping 20 of 27. The third period featured three separate fisticuffs if you enjoy that type of entertainment.
Friday and Saturday saw home and away games versus the Sicamous Eagles. The Eagles were in Chase on Friday and rode out of town with a 5-1 victory. The Heat were outshot 35-18, managing a third-period tally from Kevin Leschuk, assists to Hodges and Kurtis Johnson. Jacob Mattes went the distance, stopping 30 of 36 Eagle bullets. On Saturday evening, the boys bussed to the Houseboat Capital and were soundly thumped 8-3 although they did get 34 shots off. The Eagles scored four times before McKenzie Guardiero got one back in the second. Cole Fletcher and Leschuk rounded out the scoring for the locals. Mattes and Sanderson shared time between the pipes.
So Feb. 17 and 18 is the end of the line for this bunch as the season winds up with two home game. Game time is 7 both nights and crowd support is requested. Feb. 17, versus the Storm, is Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation fundraising night, game-worn jerseys will be silent-auctioned off. Saturday is Sketch Theatre night as well as Jersey Night versus the Knights, so put on your old favourite and head to the rink. On March 3, it’s a fundraising dance featuring Sly Valley, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the community hall; get out and shake off that winter rust while supporting the Heat.
