The Similkameen News Leader
Sports Page - September 25, 2007
POSSE LOSES FIRST GAME OF SEASON
There's a lot of directions this story could have gone beginning with confusion by the Creston Thunder Cats as to the correct start time of the game, to the amazing game played by Creston goalie Wade Waters to an equally amazing come from behind three goal blitz by Princeton to tie the game in the third.
It was that sort of game on September 22nd when the Valley First Princeton Posse played host to Creston.
The visiting team appeared to believe the first face off was supposed to happen at 7:30 PM, rather than the earlier (to accommodate traveling teams) start of 7:00 PM. Once sorted out, both teams got down to action.
The first period sailed by with a fair share of exciting hockey at both ends of the rink.
It wasn't until 42-seconds into the second period that the scoreless tie was broken by Creston. Princeton rallied back throughout the frame but could not manage to tie the game.
The third period saw a goalie change for Princeton with Andrew Walsh taking over for Tanner Sheridan and 51-seconds into the third period Creston added their second goal of the game.
Princeton continued to pelt Creston goalie Wade Waters with shot after shot but he kept stopping, blocking and catching whatever came his way. Waters has 'All-Star' written all over him!
Creston added a third goal at 10:36, which seemed to send the Posse into overdrive. It took them 54-minutes and 31-seconds of solid hockey to finally wear down Creston's goalie when Spencer Brooks fired the puck into the net off a pass from Wade Masch at 14:31. Anthony Leardo was given an assist on the power play goal.
It was the start of an incredible come back when Princeton added a second goal only 14-seconds later when Wade Masch passed the puck to Loran Johnston who flipped it high off the backhand into the top stick side corner. Spencer Brooks received an assist on that power play goal.
Then 25-seconds later Princeton tied the game at three-all when Brett Van Riper ripped one in from the blue line off a pass from Sean Reidl. It took only 39-seconds for Princeton to add three goals to tie the game.
The crowd was on fire, the Posse was on fire and then it went out when Creston scored their go ahead goal with 51.9-seconds left in the game.
Princeton pulled the goalie for a sixth man, but could not tie it up. Shots on goal: Princeton 44, Creston 22. Final score: Creston 4, Princeton 3.
GRIZZLIES BEAT POSSE
The Valley First Princeton Posse and Revelstoke Grizzlies were an evenly matched game from start to finish on September 23rd.
The Grizzlies set the tone for the game with two goals in the first period at 7:10 and 11:58.
Princeton added a power play goal with 28.7-seconds left in the period when David Smith took a pass from Brett Van Riper and drilled it in from the stick side corner of the rink.
The second period saw what could have been Revelstoke's third goal waved off at 10:46. Apparently the puck was kicked into the net in the confusion that filled the Princeton goal crease at the time.
Princeton tied the game at 14:46 when Brad Goss poked in a rebound from a shot on goal made on the power play by Scott Ramsey.
Both teams battled to break the tie but the period ended deadlocked at two apiece.
The third period saw Revelstoke take the lead at 4:23.
Princeton had many chances to tie the game again, but could not capitalize.
By mid-period, Princeton was at full strength with three Grizzlies in the penalty box and the home team started to shine.
Dan Hillman powered his way to the Revelstoke goal, took a shot and Wade Masch backhanded the rebound into the net at 11:10.
The tie lasted for minutes as Revelstoke came back at scored their fourth goal at 16:27.
The last three minutes of the game was as exciting as the rest of the game with some great play making by both, but the Posse could not tie the match to force overtime.
Shots on goal: Revelstoke 31, Princeton 31. Final score: Revelstoke 4, Princeton 3.
The Posse's next home game is September 28th against Columbia Valley.
