The Similkameen News Leader
Sports Page - February 6, 2007
SHORTER POSSE BENCH TRIES HARD
Stories continue to circulate regarding what really happened in Spokane on January 27th between the Braves and Princeton Posse. What is known for sure is that with 2-seconds left in the game a bench-clearing brawl took place and Princeton players were hit heavily with penalties.
A total of seven players were assessed time in the box including: Mike Salter (10-minutes for Game Ejection and 5-minutes for Fighting), Jeremy Wagner (10-minutes for Game Ejection and 5-minutes for Fighting), Peter Purves (10-minutes for Game Ejection and 5-minutes for Fighting), Michael Bunting (10-minutes for Gross Misconduct and 4-minutes for Leaving the Bench), Matt Arnold (10-minutes for Game Ejection and 5-minutes for Fighting), Dan Hillman (5-minutes for Fighting, 2-minutes for Game Ejection and 2-minutes for Unsportsmanlike Conduct) and Jordan Lane (10-minutes for Game Ejection and 5-minutes for Fighting). Unfortunately, the officials got some of the players numbers mixed up and the stat sheet is incorrect.
The good news was, according to the Posse, the boys won the brawl. The bad news was that the following home game, the February 2nd match against Castlegar Rebels, would see a much shorter Posse bench.
The actual seven players who were involved in the fracas (Mike Salter, Anthony Leardo, Spencer Brooks, Brett Van Riper, Eric Galbraith, Michael Bunting and Jordan Lane) and Coach Dale 'Duner' Hladun would not be in the game.
The team brought former Summerland Sting Coach and Penticton Vees Scout James Morgan in to fill Hladun's seat and added 'AP' Chris Johnson to the line up.
The game had all the makings of a great game, and the first period zipped by with no scoring, few penalties but lots of action on both ends. Princeton's goaltender, Evan Karambelas, was spectacular in goal stopping an amazing array of flying pucks coming from everywhere except the stands. Castlegar started to dominate in the second period and scored two fast goals at 6:01 and 10:21. By this time the Posse was wearing a little thin.
They kept up with their opponents, but were not able to score despite a number of attempts.
The third period saw a tired Posse continue to try to keep up with the Rebels and once Castlegar added their third goal at 2:42 it looked like the Posse were done until Matt Arnold popped one in at 8:49 (assisted by Kyle L'Arrivee).
That put some life into the home team and they battled for most of the remainder of the game but just couldn't get a better handle on their opponents. Frustration took over and the Posse suffered with multiple penalties.
Castlegar scored once more at 9:16 and although Princeton tried hard to regain control, they couldn't.
Shots on goal: Castlegar 22, Princeton 15. Final score: Castlegar 4, Princeton 1.
STRONGER POSSE BEATS BORDER BRUINS
What a difference when most of your team is back on the ice following game suspensions! Princeton Posse welcomed five players back to their line up for last Saturday night's (February 3rd) game against Grand Forks.
The team was still without Michael Bunting (still serving a suspension), Spencer Brooks (nursing an injury) and Coach Dale 'Duner' Hladun and played an awesome game.
The boys pressured Grand Forks throughout the game and never let up. Posse goalie Tanner Sheridan was nothing short of incredible between the pipes catching pucks on the glove side with lightning fast reflexes.
The first period flew by and ended with the teams still locked in a scoreless tie.
Princeton broke the tie 3:13 into the second frame when Jordan Lane scored a goal off a pass from Alex Young. Eric Galbraith also received an assist on the play.
Grand Forks replied 8-seconds later to tie the game up once again. Princeton took advantage of their domination of the game and added their second goal at 4:58. Jeremy Wagner got the score with help from Kyle L'Arrivee.
In the third period it was all Princeton. The team was fired up and on a mission. Liam Darragh added Princeton's third goal on the power play at 3:45. Assists went to Anthony Leardo and Alex Young.
Darragh then added a short-handed goal at 8:25 with assistance from Alex Young.
By this time Princeton owned the game and not only displayed great play making ability, but had vastly improved their penalty killing skills.
The scoring ended at 15:17 when Princeton's Anthony Leardo added one more power play goal. Assists went to Jeremy Wagner and Riley Ferster.
The Posse domination of the game also showed up on the stat sheet with Princeton firing a total of 30 shots on goal to 14 from Grand Forks.
Final score: Princeton 5, Grand Forks 1. There is no doubt the Posse is back and gunning for the final playoff spot in the Okanagan Shuswap Division.
