Kamloops Storm fans who came out to see a hockey game Monday night vs. the Sicamous Eagles wound up sitting through a UFC bout that didn’t do the home team any favours.
While the Storm was busy targetting players, Sicamous managed to keep focused on the game, earning an 8-2 win, putting them at 3-2 in round two of the playoffs. But the going was rough throughout the evening, particularly in the second frame when Kamloops’ d-man Zach Tjader went on the offensive during a brawl. Sicamous team manager Wayne March says Tjader flew off the bench, across the ice, and hit Sicamous’ Corbin Marcotte from behind. Marcotte had to be packed off the ice and won’t be playing in game six. Tjader won’t be playing either as he received a three-game suspension.
“They were just out to hurt people,” says March. “They weren’t even playing hockey. And as the score got higher and higher, it got worse and worse. “
Another Sicamous player, Brad Crump, may not be playing either as he took a hit when the referee wasn’t looking. March says Crump’s shoulder may have been separated as a result.
Score-wise, Sicamous dominated the first period with three goals, the first came early from Jagger Bowles, the second near the halfway mark from Connor Buick, and the third late in the frame from Connor Fynn.
Kamloops potted one early in the second frame, followed by three more from Sicamous, courtesy of Fynn, Brendan Devries and Tarren Cavanaugh on a power play.
Devries and Cavanaugh put in goals seven and eight in the third frame.
Play between Kamloops and Sicamous has been pretty tightly matched. Kamloops won the first bout 2-4, followed with a 4-3 win for Sicamous in triple overtime.
Sicamous took the lead in game three with a 5-3 win, but Kamloops was able to tie things up again in game four with a 3-2 victory.
Game six takes place tonight (after press time) in Sicamous. March says the team has been encouraged not to seek payback, but to keep their eyes on the prize.
“Like we told our players, payback comes as sweet when you knock them out and they don’t play anymore for the rest of the year,” said March.
