Skip to content

Logan’s pair lifts Storm past Kings

Team picks up three of four possible points over the weekend
89106campbellriverOlson
Comox Valley Glacier Kings goaltender Blake Pearson smothers a rebound before Storm forward Michael Olson can bang it home during the first period of the Storm’s 3-2 win at home last weekend.

Connor Logan scored twice, including the game winner in the third period, to power the Campbell River Storm to a 3-2 win over the Comox Valley Glacier Kings Sunday night at Rod Brind’Amour Arena. With the victory the Storm claimed three out of a possible four points in their home-and-home series with the Kings. The Glacier Kings won 2-1 in overtime Saturday night on home ice.

Logan snapped a 2-2 tie at 5:52 of the final stanza on Sunday with a two-on-one break set up by defenseman Devyn Grant.

“I took the puck wide and heard Welshie (Tyler Welsh) calling for it. I tried to pass it across but it hit the defenseman’s skate and went in five-hole,” said Logan, who is now tied for the team lead in scoring with 36 points. “This was a huge win for us. They (Comox) have had our number a bit lately so we wanted to prove we are still top guns and I think we pulled it off tonight.”

The contest remained scoreless through the first period and well into the second, thanks to outstanding goaltending by Jesse Michel of Campbell River and Comox Valley’s Blake Pearson. Logan finally broke the deadlock at 14:02 of the middle frame, sliding a shot under a sprawling Pearson. Ty Madden tied it less than two minutes later, but Gavin Rauser put the Storm back on top with a short-handed marker after a beautiful setup by Gage Colpron. Liam Shaw equalized for the Glacier Kings with just 28 seconds left in the second period, setting the stage for Logan’s heroics in the final frame.

Final shots on goal favoured the Storm, 37-25.

With the win Campbell River increased their lead to eleven points over the second place Glacier Kings in the North Division standings, and also pulled back into a tie with the Victoria Cougars for first overall in the VIJHL. Both teams have 45 points after 26 games.

Comox Valley won Saturday night’s game when Dylan Sampson scored ‘bar-down’ 46 seconds into overtime. Michael Olson notched the lone goal for the locals, an unassisted effort in the first period. It was another goalie’s dual between Michel and Pearson as the Storm outshot the Glacier Kings 36-19.

This weekend also marked the debut of a couple of new additions to the Campbell River lineup – forward Daine Elphicke, acquired in a trade with the Princeton Posse of the KIJHL, and defenseman Trent Johnson, who played here most of last season.

“It’s great to be back. I love it here and the fans are awesome,” said Johnson, who returned to the Storm after a stint in New Hampshire. “These two games this weekend (against Comox) were like the playoffs, both decided by one goal and a lot of fun to play in.”

Storm head coach Lee Stone was pleased with the effort from both of his new players.

“Elphicke had a fantastic weekend. He’s physical, finishing checks, blocking shots, and getting under the other team’s skin. He’s a playoff-style player,” Stone said, “Getting Trent (Johnson) back is really going to help our

power play.

“He is exceptionally calm with the puck, exits the defensive zone really well, and just doesn’t turn it over very often.”

The Storm continues their busy schedule with a road game in Victoria tonight (Wednesday) against the Westshore Wolves. They return home Friday for their annual ‘Teddy Bear Toss Night’ against the Oceanside Generals, before winding up the week in Courtenay, taking on the Glacier Kings one more time.

Jan Anderson and Sally Ann

Sunday's game also featured the "puck drop" of the annual Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign. Volunteer Jan Anderson and Sally Ann (played by Cindy Wingert) welcomed people to the game, where the Salvation Army Brass Ensemble played the national anthem and entertained between periods, as well.