In their final home ice games for the 2023/2024 season, the Williams Lake Stampeders will face-off against the Terrace River Kings Saturday, March 16, and hopefully Sunday, in the final games of the Central Interior Hockey League (CIHL).
Last Saturday, March 9, the Stamps lost 3-2 to the Kings at a game in Terrace; the first game in the hotly-contested best-of-three series.
Stamps head coach Derek Walters said the game was a good test and some adversity in advance of the next two games and “winning the championship.”
“We have our work cut out for us,” he said.
Reflecting on the game in Terrace, Walters described the effort as “pretty good” on the part of the Stamps with the third period showing more strength and resiliency.
“We had a lot of bounces not go our way and a slow start which led to us going down early and not being able to build anything.”
So far the season has been successful, with a great commitment from the players and the executive, Walters said.
“Everybody has been really good and gets along well.
“Our goal at the beginning was to win a league championship. It’s been a number of years since have won the CIHL championship so we still have work to do to finish the year.”
Players who joined the team from outside of Williams Lake have continued to be available throughout and been a big part of the team.
All the local players have been dedicated as well.
“Everyone knows their roles. Everybody has been playing extremely well. I’ve been really happy with our effort and the way the guys have done this year.”
For the Terrace game the team was missing Cole Zimmerman, Chad Wilde, Luke Bateman, Cory Loring and Jaydon Merritt due to a flu running through the team.
Cam Flinton, who had been off with a broken arm, which happened during a game against Hazelton, returned to the ice for the Terrace game and will be playing this weekend.
Kaleb Boyle is still off after breaking his leg at Thanksgiving during a game.
“It’s been a tough season for him, for sure, and we miss him a lot. He’s been trying to skate and trying to come back and he and his wife just welcomed their first child to the world last week so he has been busy with that as well. I’m glad he is able to walk and everything now.
Walters is hoping they will be back to full capacity to win both games at home this weekend.
Joining Walters on the bench as assistant coaches have been former head coach Cody Tent, which has been helpful to have another voice in the locker room and former Stampeder Levon Durfeld, offering a veteran voice.
Adam Moreash serves as the Stamps’ trainer.
“We all work well together - it’s been good.”
Thanking the fans, the executive and the volunteers, Walters said it was a great crowd during the home game against Quesnel two weekends ago.
“I hope they will keep bringing that energy to the rink. We will have two games to show them what we are made of.”
Win or lose, the Stampeders and River Kings will likely face each other again at the Coy Cup in Powell River. Both CIHL teams qualified for the Coy Cup after the winner of the North Peace Hockey League announced they were unable to attend the Coy Cup.
Teams playing for the Coy Cup include the Stampeders, the River Kings, the Penticton Silver Bullets and Powell River Regals.
