Storm get standings boost from Eagles’mistake

The Kamloops Storm earned a point in their 3-2 overtime loss at home on Saturday (Feb. 4) to the Doug Birks Division-leading Revelstoke Grizzlies.

But Kamloops also benefited in the standings indirectly from a league decision off the ice.

The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League has reversed a Jan. 20 result between the Sicamous Eagles and the 100 Mile House Wranglers. Sicamous won that game 6-2, but because the Eagles dressed an ineligible player, the win has been stripped, with the Wranglers awarded a 2-0 victory.

As a result, 100 Mile House has been awarded two points in the standings, with two points being stripped from Sicamous.

The decision impacts Kamloops because all the teams play in the Doug Birks Division of the KIJHL’s Okanagan Conference.

With the league decision, as of Feb. 6, Revelstoke led the division with 63 points and has wrapped up first place. The Grizzlies will play fourth-place 100 Mile House in the opening round of the playoffs (first versus fourth).

The other opening-round playoff series will feature the second- and third-place teams, with the second-place squad earning home-ice advantage. Kamloops was in second with 53 points and Sicamous was in third with 49 points as of KTW’s press deadline on Tuesday, after which the Storm squared off against the hometown Wranglers.

In addition to having two points shaved from the standings, the league suspended Eagles’ head coach Nick Deschenes for one game.

Against Revelstoke on Saturday on McArthur Island, 815 fans were in attendance to see Ryan Larsen and Jacob Hufty score for Kamloops in the 3-2 loss. The Grizzlies were led with goals from Colton McLeod, Owen Chamberland and Carter Bettenson’s overtime winner at the 1:37 mark.

Kamloops goaltender Colton Phillips-Watts stopped 28 of 31 shots.

Ronik since thank