The Okanagan College Coyotes hockey team travelled to Victoria this past weekend, with much to prove to the rest of the British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League, and to itself.
Despite being unbeaten in its previous three games, the Coyotes sat at an even 2-2-2 record on the season, and were scheduled to twice play the University of Victoria Vikes, who had proven to be an extremely tough squad to beat on their home ice. Despite having never won back–to-back games on Victoria ice, the OC team looked to continue their recent strong play against Uvic, who was sitting at 2-2 on the season.
The Coyotes came out Saturday with no signs of a long trip to the Island; instead the visiting team was able to completely dominate the first period, getting pucks to the net and crashing the crease.
Coach Kim Barnstable was very pleased with the early effort from his team, “We have been working so hard in practice on creating scoring chances, as goals have not been easy to come by this year. We outworked Victoria and really decided where the game was going to be played early on.”
The tenacity of the Coyotes resulted in four first-period markers, as Brendan Urban, Aaron Buat, Kyle L'Arrivee, and Layne Stopanski were the ones to provide the scoring.
The second period began much like the previous, with Westside Minor Hockey product James Neitsch converting a pass from Chris Glen only two minutes into the frame, stretching the lead to 5-0.The University of Victoria Vikes seemed to turn their game up a notch at that point, dragging the OC team into a chippy, physical, grinding game, which led to numerous UVic powerplays.
“They really started to play aggressively, and with the dimensions of their home rink, their forecheck became very physical and effective,” said Coach Barnstable, “We seemed to hesitate, and let them back into things with a couple powerplays which they were able to convert.”
With the score 5-2 heading into the third period, the Coyotes drew on their early season success in third periods, and their good week of practice preparing for the relentless attack of the Vikes. The Uvic squad continued to turn the game into a physical, and often chippy affair, but with the steady goaltending of Sunny Gill, the Coyotes shut the door in the final period.
Allowing a single powerplay goal from the home team, the Coyotes escaped the first game of the back-to back set with a 5-3 victory.
Barnstable reflected on getting that crucial first victory, “We had a good effort, from top to bottom. They are a really tough team to beat in their own building, so we were pleased with our first and third periods.”
The first period of Sunday’s game lacked the offensive dominance of the Coyotes, but offered a highly contested and hard fought 20 minutes of hockey. Continuing Saturday’s physicality, the first period was full of intensity and while both teams were afforded a number of powerplay opportunities, neither could convert in a scoreless first frame.
“We had a number of good scoring chances which we didn’t finish off, but we maintained composure, and felt really good going into the second,” said Coyotes captain Dave Mann.
The UVic Vikes proved again to be a team with a lot of fight, as the second period closely resembled the hard-fought first, until Kelowna Minor Hockey product Brendan Urban ripped a beautiful shot that beat the Vikes goaltender to break the 0-0 tie. Urban’s second of the year came at an important junction of the game, seemingly deflating the Victoria side.
Minutes later, Miles Houston stepped out of the penalty box and accepted a great feed from Aaron Buat, where he closed in on the Victoria net and scored, extending his point streak to five games.
The period ended with Okanagan College leading 2-0, needing another strong third period to close out the Vikes, who looked to not lose back-to-back on home ice. From the puck drop to start the third period, to the final buzzer, the OC Coyotes had their best period of the entire season.
“Great defense proved to be the best offense for us,” said Coach Barnstable, as his team was able to shut down any Victoria chances, keeping the play largely in the offensive end.
“Sunny Gill really shut the door for us, and we played smart hockey for the final twenty minutes,” added Mann, who has seen his fair share of ups and downs in his three years playing Okanagan College hockey.
“It was a relief to see us go back to what we had been practicing, and what Coach had been stressing to us all week,” Mann said, in reference to the OC squad outworking and playing with more efficiency than the University of Victoria side.
Hard work often leads directly to success, and that was clear in the third period of Sunday’s game, as both Kris Davis and Layne Stopanski added third period goals, to make the final score 4-0. It was also the first BCIHL shutout of Sunny Gill’s career, one he earned by turning away 36 Victoria shots.
The sweep of Victoria was the first in OC Coyotes history, one that Coach Barnstable is extremely proud of.
“The guys really have been working hard all year, and maybe not getting the results we have been looking for on game night. This was a direct result of dedication in practice and in the gym.”
Asked of the difficulty of beating the Vikes twice on their home ice, Barnstable added, “Our team is showing improvement every time we step on the ice, and taking 4 points from those guys is a big step forward”.
This upcoming weekend has been circled for quite some time, with league newcomer University of Eastern Washington in town, which will prove to be a battle for second place in the league.
“Should be a great test for us, and it is exciting playing a team we have never played,” says Mann, “They are beating some really good teams, so we look forward to them coming to town, so we can continue this run.”
Game time is 8:45 on Saturday, November 19
th, at Kelowna Memorial Arena.
VICTORIA
SIMON FRASER
OKANAGAN
LOGAN LAKE
VANCOUVER ISLAN.
