Back to Osoyoos and the Steam

Once again the Rebels head out in winter roads to take on Okanagan rivals.  The team heads to Osoyoos tomorrow afternoon to renew the memorable battle the Coyotes.  For those who played in the series last year and for new players, this game is a great chance for the team to tap into the emotions that big games on the road can generate. Beyond past experiences with these two teams, the Friday tilt has a few interesting story lines. New Rebel goalie Jordan Gluck will enter his old barn with the Rebels crest on his chest.  The Coyotes will have recently acquired Cole Buckley from Grand Forks, Rebel's backup from last year, in their lineup.  Nice to see Cole find his way to a competitive team. We'll see if they both get starts in the game.

Osoyoos is first in the Okanagan Division in a tight too and fro with Penticton.  The Coyotes seem to be a team in transition, trading a goalie and also trading a couple of players to Summerland.  One player traded from Osoyoos in the last few days was Sam Nigg, a spark plug and a pain in your backside type player from last year's Coyote team.  This should be a very competitive game and a wonderful chance for a hard fought road win for the Rebels.

On Saturday, the team heads up the lake to play the Summerland Steam, Alex Ross' new team.  Again an interesting story line.  Summerland sits at the bottom of the Okanagan Division with a poor goals against number.  The team's goals for indicate a team that can score and with Ross now on board, goal tending should be shored up.  There is always some emotion when past team mates line up against one another and I expect some good hockey in this game too.

The team should be looking to use this weekend to pull together and bring a sustained, hard working, gritty effort as they prepare for a hockey filled December.  December is filled with chances to meet tough challenges and climb the standings in games against Princeton and Kelowna and Neil Murdoch rumbles with Nelson, Spokane, and Beaver Valley.  I'll be tweeting game scores throughout the weekend. Bring on winter!