Okanagan College preparing for important weekend homestand vs. SFU, UFV

The Okanagan College Coyotes are preparing for a big test this upcoming weekend as SFU and UFV each visit the Kelowna Memorial Arena.

“We have 2 big games this weekend,” states OC Coach Kim Barnstable. “Every point down the stretch will be important to our club as we try to keep pace with the top teams in our league. Fraser Valley has played us tough and of course Simon Fraser is an excellent challenge for our team and one we are definitely looking forward too”

O.C. has added some new faces to their group and has played very well lately, showing more offense than was evident in the first half of the season.

“I really like our group right now,” says Barnstable. “I think we are deeper in all the positions than we were in the first half. We lost Andrew Rebus to injury in Victoria in late November and he has yet to return to action. That left a huge hole in our defensive corps, but fortunately we were able to add Austin Baekker from the Seattle Thunderbirds and Kyle Fraser who played with the Chase Chiefs last season. They have fit in very nicely and helped fill the void."

"Up front, Keegan Little, Luke Blinkhorn, and James Neitsch have helped improve all of our forward lines. Each of them have brought skill and leadership to our team. Our transition with the new players has been for the most part seamless.”

Netminder Sunny Gill was another timely addition in goal and played his first game on Saturday against Fraser Valley.

“I really like Sunny’s game and the guys played very well in front of him. I think he is going to be a great compliment to Adam Butler,” commented Barnstable.

The COyotes' bench boss continues to be impressed by the positive feedback he receives in hockey circles around BC and beyond the border regarding the BCIHL.

“I have talked to a number of players and hockey personnel recently inquiring about the BCIHL. I think that it is great that the league is gaining popularity and strength. The league is becoming a desirable option for players moving out of Junior who want to combine an excellent level of hockey with their schooling. I believe the future of our programs and the league is very bright based on the interest and momentum that continues to grow in the hockey community."

Looking forward to Friday night’s game against SFU in Kelowna, Barnstable continues to prepare the team for their opponent.

“SFU is an excellent program and we have to be at our best to have success against them. Mark Coletta is a very good coach and his team is always well prepared. They made us pay for our mistakes in our last game in Burnaby. We think we match up good against them and want to execute our game plan."

"We know what our identity as a team is and as long as we don’t try and change who we are, we should be able to put up a solid challenge and hopefully have success on Friday night. It will be a lot of fun, these are the games we always look forward to.”