Steelheads show their "metal" in double header win over Stampeders

In the most anticipated pair of games on the weekend, between the Smithers Steelheads and the Williams Lake Stampeders, on Saturday, the opening goal was scored by Stampeders’ Francis Johnson (Robin Gilbert, Will Robbins). The Steelheads tying goal scored by Kellin Brown (Blake Parker, Matt Arnold), the visitors went ahead on a PP goal by Colin Lloyd (Dylan Becker). Steelheads extended their lead on a goal by Tyler Pederson, his first of three (Colin Lloyd), The first period ended 3-1 Fish. In the second period Stampeders got one back by Phil Simoes (Stu Sasage) and Steelheads got that one back from Darnel Calfa (Darryl Young), Stampeders pushed back and got a goal scored by Robin Gilbert (Wilf Robbins, Francis Johnson) but a Steelheads goal by Kellin Brown (Matt Arnold, Dylan Becker) restored the gap. Tyler Pederson (Ian Smith, Dylan Becker), then Darryl Young (Kellin Brown, Eric Smith) gave the Steelheads a 7-3 second intermission lead. In the third a Fish goal by Mike Verticchio (Randal Groot, Darnel Calfa) was followed by a Darren McMillan ( Ty Koldyk, Bobby Smith ) goal, then another for Tyler Pederson (Ian Smith, Ty Koldyk) extended the lead to to 10-3, Some of the Steelheads were done for the night, and Deba gave Kevin Materi a chance to get some minutes playing real game time. Randall Groot (Eric Smith, Ty Koldyk) added A goal for the Steelheads and Stampeders showed they hadn’t gone away with a goal by Rob Herrick (Brook Paquette, Mike Kohlen). Smithers replied on a goal by Ty Koldyk (Darryl Young ) and the Stampeders last goal was scored by Francis Johnson (Wilf Robbins, Aaron Zurak). To pass the message that this was game one of a double header, there were a couple tilts at the end of the game, Stampeders Jared Kohlen tangling with Dan Vinnish, a easy decision for Steelheads Vinnish. Phil Simoes was thrown to the ice by Randal Groot but this one didn’t break out. It was a well reffed Game, with eight minor penalties to the Stampeders, 11 to the Steelheads. Shots on goal were approx. 40-28, advantage Fish. Final score 12-5 Steelheads. In the Sunday game, the Steelheads played the first 10 minutes short handed and killed off two 5-3's twice in the first period in what our reporters called a “brutal reffed and lined game.” The first goal was scored by Stampeders-- Nathan Zurak (Stu Sasage, Phil Simoes), and the Steelheads answered back on a goal by new captain, Darryl Young (Kellin Brown). The period ended 1-1. Shots on goal were approx 15-4 Stampeders. In the second a goal scored by Steelheads Ian smith (Tyler Pederson), was in turn answered back by Stamps’ Phil Simoes (Robin Gilbert). Steelheads third goal was scored by Mitch Pederson (Tyler Pederson). Period ended 3-2 for the Fish. Steelheads made it 4-2 on a goal by Colin Lloyd (Randal Groot ), but again the Stampeders came back and scored by Gerard Mousseau (Nathan Zurak), It looked like anybody’s game but the Steelheads last goal was scored by Ian Smith (Mike Verticchio, Darryl Young). Again the Stamps came back with a goal Nathan Zurak unassisted but it was one to few. Highly skilled, fast-skating teams like the Stampeders, Ice Demons and Steelheads need Refs that at least can keep up with the play, according to our reporter Shots on goal favored the Stampeders, but Sunday’s game ended 5-4 Steelheads.

---