WOLFPACK HOCKEY TO PLAY PAIR OF EXHIBITIONS VS KAMLOOPS STORM. March 5, 2010
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(A. Snucins photo)
The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack hockey team is gearing up for their first BC Intercollegiate Hockey League Playoffs. The Kamloops Storm are preparing to host the Keystone Cup Western Canadian Junior “B” Championship.
With some time on their hands, both teams have solved a problem of keeping in’game shape’.
The two squads will hold a pair of exhibition games against each other. The first will be Saturday March 13 th at Memorial Arena. The second will be Monday March 15 th at the McCarthur Island Sports Center.
“ As the end of our regular season approached I was worried about the 2 and a half week break between our last regular season game and our first playoff game Mar 18 against UFV,” said WolfPack Head Coach Chris Hans. “ Our travel budget has been considerable this year and wanted to avoid travel for exhibition. When the Storm were eliminated from playoffs I posed the exhibition games to Barry Dewar (Storm owner/GM) whose team is facing a longer layoff than ours. “
The result was the arranging of the two games.
This is just the latest chapter in what is proving to be a growing and positive relationship between the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League team and the WolfPack.
“We support the WolfPack hockey team in many ways not the least is by attending their events whenever possible,” says Dewar.” David Gore, Jassi Sangha, Jose Reyes, Mick Ludvig, Joel Leonard and Cody Lockwood are a big part of the Wolfpack just like they were with the Storm . We are so proud of them, almost like they were my own kids. I see two or three of this years team playing for the Wolfpack next year, and perhaps another 6 or 7 when they are ready to attend college and their junior careers are over.”
“Barry has been supportive and helpful with the TRU Hockey program since its inception and I hope that these games help the Storm as much as they will help us.” Says Hans. “I also hope to get some recruiting in as we show the graduating Storm players the level of competition in the BCIHL. “
Dewar says he is a bit concerned with the age difference (the Storm have some 15 year old players). But Hans believes it won’t be a problem. “ We are using these games a tune up to playoffs and I will move a few players in and out of the lineup to get an idea who is ready for our playoffs. “
By all indications, both games will be exciting. Says Dewar: “I think the game will add some excitement for both teams in preparation for a championship run. The Wolfpack are highly skilled and motivated and the Storm will rise to the challenge. “
Hans adds: “Thanks should go out to the Storm because these games are coming at a very important time for us and hopefully will help us be as prepared as possible for BCIHL playoffs. “
Game times are 9:15 pm on March 13 th at Memorial and 7 pm Monday March 15 th at Mac Isle.
TRU WOLFPACK ATHLETICS: PROUD HOSTS OF THE 2010 CIS MENS NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS-MARCH 12-14 TH TOURNAMENT CAPITAL CENTER, KAMLOOPS BC.
WEBSITE: http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mvball/index http://francais.cis-sic.ca/championships/mvball/index
WOLFPACK HOCKEY CLOSES OUT REGULAR SEASON WITH VICTORY March 1, 2010
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(A. Snucins photo)
The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack finished its first regular season in the BC Intercollegiate Hockey League the same way it began—with a victory.
The WolfPack won their final league and home game by downing the University of the Fraser Valley 8-5 before 650 fans at Memorial Arena (Feb 27). TRU locked up second spot in the BCIHL standings with the victory with a record of 16 and 8. UFV will finish third. They have two more games to play and find themselves at 13 and 9.
“We outplayed UFV in all parts of the game,” said a happy TRU head coach Chris Hans. “ Brock Fraser (1st year, Kamloops, BC) was solid in the nets as he faced 10 UFV power plays and kept them off the scoresheet with the man advantage.”
The WolfPack led 4-2 after the first period and 6-3 after two. Jassi Sangha (1st year, forward, Kamloops, BC) had two first period goals-one shorthanded in the victory. He added one assist.
Joel Leonard (3rd year, forward, Kamloops, BC) had a goal and three helpers. Other TRU markers came from David Boychuk (4th year, defence, Edmonton, Alta), Alex Marr (1st year, defence, Kamloops, BC), Jose Reyes (1st year, forward, Kamloops, BC), Casey Patterson (1st year, forward, Chase, BC) and David Gore (2nd year, forward, Kamloops, BC). Gore added two assists. Leonard’s marker was also short handed.
UFV got two goals from Michael Rudnisky (2nd year, forward, Aldergrove, BC) with singles from Riley Cullen (2nd year, forward Mission, BC), Robert Vos (3rd year, forward, Abbotsford, BC) and Matt Ehrenreich (1st year, forward, Abbotsford, BC).
Rhys Chesney (1st year, Abbotsford, BC) played goal for UFV turning aside 37 shots. Fraser handled 28 for TRU.
“Tonite we went hard to the net and we won all the battles along the wall,” said Hans “ Our win is a good way to conclude the regular season and it’s very satisfying to have such a great home record (11 and 1—unbeaten on Memorial Arena ice). We have the best fans in the league and want to reward them by bringing home the championship title.”
The WolfPack will play UFV in the first round of the league playoff tournament: March 18 th in Langley, BC.
WOLFPACK HOCKEY LOSES FIRST ON HOME ICE February 27, 2010
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Brock Fraser behind net (A. Snucins photo)
The WolfPack have written themselves quite a story in their first season in the BC Intercollegiate Hockey League. Going into their game tonight (Fri Feb 26), the team was unbeaten in ten home games.
Switching venues from the smaller Memorial Arena to the large Interior Savings Center (home of the Western Hockey League Kamloops Blazers), the WolfPack saw their streak come to an end as they were beaten by the University of Fraser Valley 3-1.
The victory drops the TRU record to 15 and 8 as they saw a two game winning streak snapped. UFV is now 13 and 8 in the season.
“ I don’t think they out played us,” said WolfPack head coach Chris Hans. “I think we were too tentative. We played too much on the outside. We didn’t get to the front of the net as much as we could. We outshot them (48-19) but most of them were from outside the perimeter. When we did get the puck to the net, we didn’t get guys crashing the net for the rebound.”
After a scoreless first period, UFV got on the board at 10:30 of the second stanza when Robert Vos (3rd year, forward, Abbotsford, BC), the BCIHL’s leading scorer cashed in when he went to the net and beat TRU goalie Brock Fraser (1st year, Kamloops, BC).
UFV came out strong to start the third period and scored 28 seconds into the stanza when Simon Brouwer (3rd year, forward, Winnipeg, Man) put the puck past Fraser.
TRU put on its strongest effort of the game in the final four minutes. Jassi Sangha (1st year, forward, Kamloops, BC) finally solved Adam Postmus (1st year, Fruitvale, BC). Daniel Robinson (2nd year, forward, 100 Mile House, BC) and Kevin Hanna (1st year, forward, Cloverdale,BC) drawing the assists.
UFV salted the game away on a disputed goal at 19:37. The ‘Pack had pulled Fraser and the TRU defender had run into the linesman allowing Matt Ehrenreich ( 1st year, forward, Abbotsford, BC) to literally shovel it into the yawning cage. TRU claimed afterwards that Ehenreich gloved the puck ahead. It was his third point of the night (goal and two assists.)
”That was an atrocious non-call by the referee,” Hans claimed. “The fact of the matter was that we only scored one goal. That’s what happens when you play on the outside and don’t play a physical game and pay the price for your teammates.”
Hans admits he is a bit concerned with his teams lack of consistency going into the BCIHL playoffs in March. “ We have to dig down and pay the price to win.”
The WolfPack close out the BCIHL regular season Saturday (Feb 27) back at Memorial Arena against UFV. Puck drop is 8:45 pm.
WOLFPACK HOCKEY CLOSES OUT REGULAR SEASON AT HOME TO UFV February 25, 2010
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Jassi Sangha about to score goal vs SFU (A. Snucins photo)
The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack are hoping to keep their streak intact as they enter the final weekend of the BC Intercollegiate Hockey League regular season. The WolfPack have never been beaten on home ice in their first year in the BCIHL. They want to keep that streak alive asa they entertain the University of the Fraser Valley. The two teams will play Friday night (Feb 26) at the Interior Savings Center and Saturday night (Feb 27) at Memorial Arena.
This weekend’s series is a battle of the second place team in the BCIHL (TRU at 15 wins and seven losses: 30 points) and the third place squad (UFV with 12 wins and eight losses for 24 points).
“This will be a good set-up going into the Championship Tournament,” says ‘Pack head coach Chris Hans. Both teams have qualified for post season play.
The WolfPack enter the weekend coming off a pair of lopsided victories over Selkirk College. UFV has won two of their last three outings, but lost last weekend to first place SFU (3-0 on Fri Feb 19).
UFV sport the top two scorers in the BCIHL. Robert Vos (forward, Abbotsford, BC) has 20 goals and 29 assists in 20 games. Those 49 points are five ahead of teammate Matt Ehrenreich (forward, Abbotsford, BC) (15 goals and 29 assists in 20 games).
Jassi Sangha (1st year, forward, Kamloops, BC) is third in league scoring and tops among TRU players with 17 goals and 25 assists for 42 points in 21 games. Joel Leonard (3rd year, forward, Kamloops, BC) of the WolfPack is sixth in scoring (22 games-17 goals and 22 assists for 34 points). That is one ahead of teammate Jose Reyes (1st year, forward, Kamloops, BC). Reyes has 19 goals and 14 assists for 33 points in 22 games.
“Jassi and Jose are having offensive success this year,” states Hans. “ Both are exceptional skaters and when they add a strong work ethic, are difficult players for opponents to stop.”
Hans expects the weekend to see his team pay more attention to the defensive side of the game “UFV is an offensively explosive team,’he says. We will have to be defensively responsible and willing to compete hard to be successful.”
These will be the third and fourth meetings of the season between the two squads. UFV beat TRU 7-2 on October 30 th. TRU came back to beat UFV 6-5 on November 2 1st.
The Game Friday (Feb 26) was moved from Sunday because of a conflict with the Gold Medal men’s hockey game at the Olympics. It’ll be played in the Interior Savings Center: the home of the Western Hockey League Kamloops Blazers and seats 58 hundred people. The game Saturday will be back at the ‘Pack’s home rink of Memorial Arena. Game time Friday is 8:15 pm. Saturday’s tilt has an 8:45 pm start time.
There could be a large crowd on hand on Friday as the TRU Recreation Department has a “Weekend Warrior” promotion going.
The League Championship series will be held in Langley on March 18-21 st.
TRU WOLFPACK ATHLETICS: PROUD HOSTS OF THE 2010 CIS MENS NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS-MARCH 12-14 TH TOURNAMENT CAPITAL CENTER, KAMLOOPS BC.
WEBSITE: http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mvball/index http://francais.cis-sic.ca/championships/mvball/index
WOLFPACK SWEEP WEEKEND SERIES IN CASTLEGAR February 21, 2010
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Jose Reyes had a hat trick for TRU (A. Snucins photo)
It was mission accomplished in Castlegar for the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s hockey team. The WolfPack went into the West Kootenays and came away with the maximum four points against the Selkirk College Saints. The score in BC Intercollegiate Hockey League action on Sunday morning (Feb 21) was 13-6.
Tru led 6-0 after the first period thanks to a pair of goals from Joel Leonard (3rd year, forward, Kamloops, BC). It was 8-2 ‘Pack after 40 minutes.
TRU (now 15-7 in league play) got a hat trick from Jose Reyes (1st year, forward, Kamloops, BC). He had two of his three goals in the final period. Nathan Michaels (1st year, forward, Kamloops, BC) and Mick Ludvig (1st year, forward, Kamloops, BC) also added two goals for TRU, who outshot Selkirk (now 1-20-1) 59-37.
TRU got single markers from Tyler Stothart (1st year, forward, Kamloops, BC), Daren Hermiston (1st year, forward, Kamloops, BC), David Gore (2nd year, forward, Kamloops, BC) and Casey Patterson (1st year, forward, Chase, BC).
Thomas Gobeil (1st year, Armstrong, BC) went the distance for TRU in the nets.
“An explosive start sealed the win for us,” said WolfPack head coach Chris Hans, “Selkirk worked hard but again, our speedy forwards pinned them in their own end for most of the game.”
The WolfPack, who will likely finish second in the regular season standings, close out their BCIHL season next Friday and Saturday (Feb 26 and 27) against the University of the Fraser Valley. Friday’s game goes at 8:15 pm at the Interior Savings Center. Saturday’s tilt is set for Memorial Arena at 8:45 pm. The WolfPack have been unbeaten thus far on home ice this season.
TRU WOLFPACK ATHLETICS: PROUD HOSTS OF THE 2010 CIS MENS NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS-MARCH 12-14 TH TOURNAMENT CAPITAL CENTER, KAMLOOPS BC.
WEBSITE: http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mvball/index http://francais.cis-sic.ca/championships/mvball/index