The Smithers Smokescreen Graphics Midget Storm are heading to Penticton for provincials in March, after they defeated Vanderhoof in two straight games in their best-of-three series last weekend.
“Obviously we are really pleased with the result and excited to move on to provincials to represent Smithers,” head coach Brendan Hutchinson said.
The first game, on Saturday morning, was penalty filled affair.
Over the first two periods, only six minutes was spent at even strength.
“It wasn’t much of a hockey game,” Hutchinson said.
“The penalties really took the rhythm out of it. You don’t get any synergy between lines and it’s not a lot of fun for some kids.”
Despite the strangeness of the game, the Storm stayed composed, built up a 3-0 lead and finished strong defensively to take game one.
Goaltender Clay Kiiskila wasn’t busy, but he made some key saves to preserve the win.
Game two was a nail-biter.
The Storm took a 2-0 lead only to let it slip away.
Down 4-3 with time running out in the third period, the Storm pulled their goalie for the extra attacker.
They got a screened shot through and team scoring leader Riley Coish buried the tying goal with 20 seconds left on the clock.
Coish wasn’t done.
In overtime he buried a snapshot past the Vanderhoof keeper for his second clutch goal of the game to give the Storm the win.
“He’s a remarkable player,” Hutchinson said.
“You can rely on him every game and you don’t see that a lot from a first-year player.”
With the win, the Storm avoided a third and deciding game later that afternoon.
“It was huge. I think psychologically as much as anything. Our guys would have been pretty disappointed had we lost, knowing we hadn’t played our best game.”
Now the Storm will have to worry about trying to stay fresh for the next six weeks.
Hutchinson is in the process of scheduling a series of exhibition games over the coming weeks with teams from around the northwest.
Of note:
Storm defenceman Simon Wylie was called up to the junior-B 100 Mile House Wranglers last weekend and is expected to suit up for the club again in the coming weeks.
“Apparently he played really well. The coach was blown away,” Hutchinson said.