The Chase Heat hummed through the past weekend with a pair of hard-earned team-focused victories.
Friday night, the 9th, at the Art Holding Memorial Arena, saw the visiting Princeton Posse meet up with hot goaltender Nic Bruyere who earned a 4-0 shutout.
Saturday night saw an energetic local crew meet the Kamloops Storm and take a 4-2 win home to Chase.
In the Friday contest it was all home side as the Heat fired 42 shots at Bobby Milligan in net for the Posse. Not to be outclassed, Nic Bruyere stood strong at the other end, stopping all 19 shots he faced to collect the donut.
There was no scoring in the first period, and in the second Michael Fidanza popped his first from Ryan Okino and Josh Bourne. Then Bourne flipped one in the net from Fidanza and Cody Hodges. In the third, Fidanza got his second shorthanded from Michael Howlett. Kaden Black scored the fourth goal on the power play from Zachary Fournier and Spencer Farstad. It was a well-earned, 4-0 shutout and a valuable two points in the standings.
On Saturday night at Memorial Arena in Kamloops, the Heat faced off versus arch- rivals the Kamloops Storm. Coach Brad Fox made a game-day decision to put Kolten Moore in the lineup after a week off the ice. That decision proved fortuitous as Moore popped in a pair to seal the deal.
In the first period, Black got things started on the power play from Travis Beaubien and Fournier. Kamloops got one from Dallas Otto to notch things at 1-1. In the second, Moore got his first from Beaubien. It was onto the third, and Moore scored his second unassisted.
Ten minutes later, the Storm’s Kaine Comin got his first of the year to make things tense. However, with 17 seconds left, Howlett tossed the puck in the empty basket assisted by Bourne and Grady Musgrave. It was a big 4-2, four-point win to create a gap between the two teams in the standings.
Going into the final weekend, before the players get a break, the Heat remain in first place in their division with 38 points, six up on 100 Mile House and seven up on Kamloops.
Michael Fidanza is ninth in KIJHL scoring with 39 points, and Kaden Black is 11th with 35 points. Bruyere enjoyed his second shutout of the season.
The entire Chase Heat organization wishes you a safe, happy and warm festive season!
See you on Saturday, Dec. 17 versus the Storm from Kamloops. It’s Cookie Box Night, so be sure to come and buy some goodies while supporting your team.
