A hard-hitting four ‘n out for the Quesnel River Rush ends their first KIJHL Playoff Series.
The Kamloops Storm took a strong lead in the first two games in Kamloops, winning 4–1 and 6–2 in Games 1 and 2.
Quesnel managed to fight back in the latter two games in the West Fraser Centre. The Rush outshot the Storm 45–37 in Game 3, and 54–33 in Game 4; however, they couldn’t get that lucky bounce to the back of the net.
In both games, the Storm were the ones with the lucky shot. ending the games in overtime, and ending the River Rush’s first season back in Junior Hockey in an unfortunate 4–0 series sweep.
Gage Parrell and Wyatt Ball lead the Rush’s scoring through the series, with four and two goals respectively. Lynden Donald–Gorman and Richard Burden got a goal a piece.
Evan Murray scooped up four assists and Isaiah Bagri got three assists. Donald–Gorman got two assists along side his goals.
Overall Thoughts on the Inaugural Season:
The Rush’s inaugural season had its ups and downs, and the team was swimming upstream from the start of the year. Starting their first eleven games 2–9, and a coaching change, the team pulled together and went on a four-game win streak. The start of a big upswing for the team.
The boys played together, and played a good role-playing style of hockey that saw them clinch a playoff spot in a tight division. They were in the driver seat for the region rivarly series against Williams Lake and 100 Mile House, the Cariboo Cup, for the majority of the season. Right up to the very end.
It was a season of peaks and valleys, but there is a lot to be proud of for the boys in Maroon.
When looking back at the year, River Rush coach Jeremy LeBlanc says the team has laid a good foundation for the years to come.
“It was a bit of a mixed group when we started here,” says LeBlanc. “There were a lot of good local boys who helped kick us off, a good group from North Oak, and some fresh faces. We came a long way this year, and we had good fan support.”
The team has some great talent on its roster. Cash Anderson and Isaiah Bagri led the team in scoring and finished in the top ten in the KIJHL’s regular season.
Defencemen Ian George and Evan Murray closed out their season in the top ten defencemen in the league as well.
Despite all this, the Rush struggled to maintain their momentum. Swinging back and forth from being on the verge of win streaks, then bad luck and another tumble down. It just seemed as though the team could not quite keep their footing, even with the team jelling in a solid spot for the post-season.
LeBlanc says unfortunate injuries and a wave of the flu bug stalled the team’s momentum late in the season. Right when it was crucial to win to gain home-ice advantage for the playoffs, finishing the season off at .500 with a 19 W – 19 L record.
“Once the momentum shifts, it’s hard to catch it back. Everyone was doing their roles, everyone was buying into the system,” says LeBlanc. “Then unlucky with the flu bug against Williams Lake at the end of the season.”
“When you kind of limp into the playoffs, it’s tough to keep rolling when you don’t have that momentum. That all being said, I’m proud of the team. We battled, and we felt like we were the better team; just a couple of calls and bounces didn’t go our way.”
While getting swept in the first playoff series is always a tough loss to take, LeBlanc is proud of his boys. The team bounced back from their start, and the foundation is there for a strong run next season. The team knows where their work is going to be next season.
“We wanted to be a tough team to play against. We wanted to be intense guys, are in your face. We came out like that, and our younger guys needed to learn. They’ve grown so much, and they’ve come to the realization that if we stay out of the box, we’re a better team, and in five-on-five, we’re hard to beat.”
LeBlanc assures the team and management are already in the gyms, on the ice, “with the work boots on” and getting ready for their second season in the KIJHL.
“There are a few guys that we hope get to move on to the bigger leagues. I always hope as a coach that the players get to move onto high levels. But for the most part, most of our core group is going to be back.”
A message to the players. Great job boys. You deserve some rest. You battled through a lot this season, and to come through with the attitude you all have is a treat for this community.
Enjoy the R&R, but it’s great to hear from the Coach you’re already back putting in the work and hours. Looking forward to next year. Good Luck.
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