The Campbell River Storm will hope to make it five consecutive wins to start the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) season, as they host the Lake Cowichan Kraken Friday (Sept. 22) evening at Rod Brind’Amour Arena.
The Storm’s offence was thunderous this past weekend. Racking up a dozen goals over a homestand versus Nanaimo and Peninsula would make anyone believe all the i’s were dotted and t’s were crossed on offence.
READ MORE: Campbell River Storm win second game of weekend homestand over Panthers 7-0
Storm head coach Kyle Evans however, feels the production was a combination of a few things.
”We have some firepower up front for sure,” said Evans. “Of course, it was a case of the bounces going our way. Hockey’s a game of bounces. Saturday the bounces went our way, and there’s going to be a time when the bounces go the other way. But it’s definitely a positive step in the right direction, scoring 12 goals.”
Lake Cowichan comes into Friday’s game sitting at the bottom of the North Division with a 2-3 record. But, having been in four one-goal games already this early in the year, Evans knows they are better than their record might indicate.
”They’ve got a better team than last year,” said Evans. “They play a really structured game. They are going to be coming into town with something to prove.”
An important side story will be the first head-to-head meeting of the top two point-producing rookies in the VIJHL: Kraken forward Ryan Parker, and Storm forward Raydon Parkes. Parkes has six points through the young season, while Cooper has seven, good for a point per game.
Evans has high praise for his young forward.
“His poise with the puck and the things he’s been able to do at this level so far has been awesome,” says Evans.
Puck drop at the Rod Brind’Amour Arena is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday (Sept. 22).