The Campbell River Storm improved its league best record to 13-1-1 after a pair of convincing victories over the Kerry Park Islanders last weekend.
Islanders goaltender Leighton Williams saw more rubber than the Indianapolis Speedway as the relentless Storm fired 69 shots on goal during Friday night’s 10-5 win at Rod Brind’Amour Arena. It was even worse Saturday in Kerry Park when Leighton faced 74 shots, including 35 in the third period as the Storm romped to an 8-3 triumph.
Connor Logan, Gage Colpron, and Dan Feeney each scored twice for Campbell River on Friday, which led 2-0 after the first period and 7-2 after the second. Singles went to Christian Brandt, Andy Stevens, Zack Sanderson, and Trevor Bottomley.
It was a penalty filled affair and Storm head coach Lee Stone was ejected in the third period for waving a white towel, Roger Neilson style, at referee Bradley Ford.
Stone received a gross misconduct and a minimum three game suspension for the infraction.
“I shouldn’t have done it,” admitted Stone afterward. “There are going to be several more times through-out the year when we’re going to have 7-3 leads and the game gets chippy. Starting with me and working our way down, everyone has to be more disciplined in those situations.”
With Stone on the sidelines, assistant coach Stefan Jensen took over behind the bench Saturday night. He watched as Williams put on another display of brilliant goaltending in the Kerry Park net, keeping the score tied 3-3 after the second period. But Campbell River broke through early in the third, tallying three times in the first 2:51 to put the game away.
“Between the second and third period I told the guys we are the best team in the league and we need to start playing like it,” said Jensen. “We have to play hard every single shift and not take any off, especially on the road..”
James Severs led the Storm attack with a hat-trick. Michael Olson collected a pair, while Connor Logan, Gavin Rauser, and Colin Blake chipped in with singles.
The Storm ‘s next home game is Friday night (Halloween) when the Storm take on the Comox Valley Glacier Kings.
