It was a busy weekend for the Campbell River Storm, two games and a big trade at the deadline.
On Sunday, the team announced that they have acquired Jake Mullen from the Summerland Steam of the KIJHL in exchange for Matt Kostiw. Mullen is the top rated netminder in that league with a 1.77 GAA and a .934 save percentage.
According to General Manager and Head Coach, Lee Stone, “Jake is a goaltender we had our eyes on for a while and we are excited to add a bonafide starting goaltender who led his team to the KIJHL finals last season.” Mullen, a 20 year old, hails from Coeur D’Alene Idaho.
Kostiw was selected to the VIJHL All-star team just last week and holds a 2.31 GAA. According to Stone, “Matt was an incredibly well-liked young man and handled the move like a pro, we would like to thank him for his contributions to the Storm family.”
On the ice, the team dominated in their two weekend victories, a 13-1 shelling of the Oceanside Generals on Friday and 8-4 doubling of the Comox Valley Glacier Kings Saturday.
Keenan Scardina is having an incredible January since returning from a November injury. The 6’ 3”, 195 pound forward has picked up 8 points in four games including a hat-trick on Saturday in Courtenay.
Coach Stone commenting on the weekend play talked about the lulls, “Twenty-one goals on the weekend, we’re happy with that. Eight goals tonight (Saturday), we’re happy with that. The power play looked good, we’re happy with that but there needs to be a bit more focus on the D-side of the puck.” In a crazy second period in the Glacier Kings game, the two teams combined for 5 goals in the space of just 1 minute and two seconds,.
But at least one opposition coach is not enamoured with being on the losing end of lopsided scores against the Storm.
Oceanside Coach Brad Knight said after The Storm beat the Generals 13-1: “They like to play that way,” Knight said. “Normally, when you’re up big you let the foot off the gas but Campbell River likes to embarrass people, that’s the kind of class they show as a team…”
In other Storm news, five players will be heading to the VIJHL All-star game on Sunday at the Q-Centre in Colwood. Captain Gage Colpron, Colin Blake, Alex Rosolowsky, Trevor Bottomley and Alex Brewer will be representing the city on the ice. The Storm coaching staff will be behind the bench for the North Division team; Head Coach Stone, Associate Coach Mike Wilson, Assistant Coach Brendan Enns and Trainor Jami Harris.
Next regular season game is Thursday at the Nanaimo Ice Centre against the Buccaneers before a Friday home date with the Kerry Park Islanders.
– with files from the Parksville-Qualicum Beach News
