The Similkameen News Leader
Sports Page - September 18, 2007
THERE'S A DIFFERENT POSSE IN TOWN
Finishing the pre-season with two wins, a tie and a loss, the Valley First Princeton Posse may very well become to team to watch in the 2007/08 KIJHL Season.
The regular season home opener was Friday, September 14th against Grand Forks Border Bruins.
What last years team lacked in speed, passing, shooting and physical power seems to have been gifted to the Posse in super size portions as it didn't take long after the first face off for the home team to let their presence be known to their opponent.
This year's Posse has an in-your-face attitude that translates well on ice and with the addition of local boy Tyler Gunn on the coach's bench, players will likely be reminded of the importance of that approach to the game.
The first goal of the game wasn't scored until 3:47 into the second period and it was scored by Grand Forks.
Princeton's first goal of the new season will likely be remembered for quite some time.
Wade Masch took the puck in all-alone up the middle of the rink, deked the Bruin goalie and popped the puck up and into the top of the net. The unassisted short-handed goal went into the record books at 6:51.
Princeton took the lead at 11:31 with a goal from Brad Goss with assists going to Kellin Brown and Taylor Stuart.
Grand Forks tied the game at two-all on the power play at 13:45. The third period saw a goal by Princeton disallowed due to an illegal substitution but the Posse manhandled their way in front of the Grand Forks net poking and prodding at rebounds until Logan Johnston's stick pushed the puck in at 8:30. Assists were handed out to Brook Christiansen and Spencer Brooks.
Princeton widened the gap with their fourth goal 27-seconds later when Wade Masch passed the puck out from the stick side corner and Brook Christiansen one-timed a rocket into the net. Spencer Brooks was also given an assist for his help on the play. Then Princeton started to lose momentum.
Grand Forks scored two goals with 3:36 and 2:34 left in the game tying the score at four apiece. Each goal frustrated Posse goaltender Tanner Sheridan a little more each time and he let everyone know about it by smashing his stick against the net. There's no doubt Sheridan wanted the home opener to be a win.
Well, his wish was granted in the overtime frame where 1:24 into the extra period Tyler Martin passed out front to Logan Johnston who wound up and blasted the puck past the goalie. Anthony Leardo also assisted on the play.
Shots on goal: Princeton 33, Grand Forks 28. Final score: Princeton 5, Grand Forks 4 (OT).
POSSE HUMBLES SPOKANE
If the second home game of the season for the Valley First Princeton Posse against Spokane Braves on Saturday, September 15th means anything outside of the KIJHL, it's safe to say cross-border relations and free-trade agreements were tossed out the window as Princeton powered their way through the only 'international' team in the league.
Spokane did set the tone for the match scoring the first two goals of the game in the first period, but the second period was all Princeton, all twenty minutes.
Princeton's first goal of the night came at 10:46 and was scored by Kellin Brown with an assist going to Brad Goss. Princeton's second goal was scored 19-seconds later by Brenden Stephen with assistance from Kellin Brown and Brad Goss.
Princeton took the lead at 16:00 with a power play goal by Tyler Martin. Assists went to Spencer Brooks and Sean Riedl.
Princeton's physical in-your-face game continued to overpower and frustrate the Spokane players and many skirmishes broke out.
In the third period it was all Princeton with Brad Goss opening the period with an unassisted, short handed goal 47-seconds into the frame when he sailed behind the Spokane net and wrapped around with a flip of the puck on the stick side.
Princeton added one more goal at 12:55 when Brenden Stephen took a pass out front from Wade Masch and popped it into the top of the net. Scott Ramsay received an assist on the play.
Princeton beat Spokane throughout the game out shooting them 15 to 14 in shots on goal and even out muscling them on the stats sheet with 30 penalties to Spokane's 22.
Final score: Princeton 5, Spokane 2.
