Right from the get-go, it was evident that Summerland had come to play. They put instant pressure on a Knights' team that was missing one of it's leading scorers, Logan Geefs, and were rewarded nearly immediately. Adam Jones got things started for the visitors just halfway through the first on a powerplay with his 4th of the season. Braden Eliuk and Kendell Wilson would draw assists on the goal that put Summerland up 1-0.
The Steam would go up 2-0 just under 5 minutes later when Jack Mills notched his 21st of the season after he peeled off the wall and buried a sharp wrist shot. Assists would go to Rylan Sideroff and Coleton Fisher, both of whom saw their fair share of minutes in the absence of Riley Pettitt, Cole Woodliffe and Tyson Klingspohn.
The Steam would hold the Knights to just 3 shots in the first period, and kill off a couple early penalties in the 2nd. Coleton Fisher would then add to the Steam lead later in the period on a sweet tip in front of Knights' goaltender Mitch Profeit. Fisher's 5th of the season was assisted by Calvin Hadley and Jack Mills, extending the lead to 3-0. It was clear by this point in the game that a 3-0 lead was insurmountable for the Knights, and the Steam would continue to push into the third.
They would fire more shots at Mitch Profeit in the third period (22) than the Knights put on Brett Huber in the Steam net all game (19). A pair of powerplay goals from Jack Mills and Coleton Fisher would stretch the Steam lead to 5, and they would cruise on to victory without incident.
THOUGHTS
- The Summerland powerplay came alive in the victory on Friday, going 3/6 with the man advantage. They had previously been floundering when being a man up and on the road with a percentage at an even 10.00%, but in the last 2 games against Sicamous and North Okanagan they've gone 5/10. Being 50% in the past 2 games has brought that percentage up 3.86% to 13.86% and increased their PP ranking from 18th to 13th while on the road.
- For Mills, his 3 points on the night bring him to 50 on the season and a tie for 8th in the KIJHL in scoring with Golden Rockets F Cole McEchney. Mills stretched his team lead to 5 points over linemate Cole Woodliffe heading into Sunday's matchup with the Kelowna Chiefs.
- Brett Huber made his return to the Steam crease on Friday night after missing nearly a month with a lower body injury. His last game came on December 27th in Osoyoos, but he didn't look out of place on Friday. Huber wasn't tested often but was strong when he was needed, stopping 19 shots for his 3rd clean sheet of the season.
WHAT'S NEXT?
After a win on Friday, the Steam will look to stretch their win streak to 2 on Sunday when they face the Kelowna Chiefs. Faceoff goes at 7PM at the Rutland Arena. After that game the Steam will return home for their first home game in 11 days. On Tuesday night, January 27th at 7:30 they'll host the Osoyoos Coyotes in meeting 7 of 8 on the season. FAMILY PACKS (2 Adults, up to 4 Kids under 12) are just $18 for Tuesday night's game and the Steam will be holding silent auctions for jerseys as well as a raffle for a Summerland Steam mini-fridge!
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