The Similkameen News Leader
Sports Page - February 19, 2008
POSSE WIN DIVISION TITLE
For the first time in franchise history, the Valley First Princeton Posse finished first in the West Division of the Eddie Mountain Conference.
The Posse did it with two games left in their schedule following a win February 16th against Golden Rockets.
Posse Coach Dale 'Duner' Hladun says the win was huge for the team.
"It's important that we get the banner as it's an indelible part of the legacy as it will also remain in Princeton. It's not only a legacy left by the team, it's a stepping stone at the same time."
The Posse went into the Golden game needing only one point to clinch the Division Title.
Both teams played a fast-paced 60-minutes of hockey in Princeton Arena with Golden scoring first at 3:42 of the first period.
Princeton turned on the jets and tied the game at 15:08 when Brenden Stephan fed the puck to Brad Goss who raced up the rink and passed across to Tyler Martin who sent it home.
Then at 15:08 Princeton's Brett Van Riper passed to Tyler Martin who sent a sizzling rocket of a shot at the Rocket net. It smashed off the boards behind the goal and back out to the waiting Logan Johnston who casually flipped it into the net.
The second period was owned by Princeton. The Posse dominated the face offs and the majority of the action on ice scoring four unanswered goals (1:06 - Kyle L'Arrivee from Spencer Brooks; 3:19 - Brad Goss from Cody Sutherland and Brooks Christensen; 4:14 - Kyle L'Arrivee from Tyler Martin and Brett Van Riper on the power play; and with 51.2-seconds left - Jeremy Wagner from Dan Hillman and Wade Masch).
The third period saw no further scoring.
Players of the Game, as selected by Princeton Dairy Queen/Finning Tractor Kamloops were: #3 - Andrew Walsh, #2 - Brett Van Riper and #1 - Tyler Martin. Shots on goal: Princeton 42, Golden 26. Final score: Princeton 6, Golden 1.
REBELS DESTROY PRINCETON
The February 17th match between the Valley First Princeton Posse and Castlegar Rebels was an important game for Castlegar - not so important for Princeton.
Just before the opening face-off Posse Assistant Coach Kevin Robillard and team General Manager Blair Noel presented Jeremy Wagner with a plaque. The plaque was in recognition of Wagner becoming the all-time Posse Career Points Leader.
Unfortunately, that was about the most positive thing that happened all game for the Posse as Castlegar took control of the game and never let up.
Princeton did score the first goal at 10:27 (Brett Van Riper from Tyler Martin) and they did play a solid first period, but the Rebels were incredible and when they weren't, former Posse goalie Tony Johnston was.
It was nice to see Johnston able to use all the tricks he had learned as a member of the Posse to good use.
Castlegar scored twice in the second period and added three more in the third, while a tired Posse was showing signs of fatigue.
Shots on goal: Princeton 40, Castlegar 22. Final score: Castlegar 5, Princeton 1.
The Posse's first playoff game is scheduled for March 1st in Princeton Arena.
The Princeton Dairy Queen/Finning Tractor Kamloops Players of the Final Regular Season Home Game were: #3 - Josh Prather, #2 - Jeremy Wagner and #1
- David Smith.
