There was no shortage of hockey in the news last week.

Many Canadians were consumed by the dramatic success of our national team at the World Junior Hockey Tournament.

Closer to home, local fans had their eyes on the Princeton Posse, which widened its lead in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) after a 5-4 overtime loss to Sicamous Friday, Jan. 6, and an exciting 5-3 win over last year害羞草研究所檚 league champions the Revelstoke Grizzlies last Saturday.

As of Sunday, Jan. 8, the Posse held first place with 52 points, three points ahead of second place Kimberly Dynamiters.

Coach Mark Readman said the organization especially savoured the victory over Revelstoke.

害羞草研究所淎nybody who knows anything about the (KIJHL) or has tracked it over the last five years knows that the Grizzlies and the Dynamiters, they are the jealousies of the league, of really being dominant programs,害羞草研究所� he said.

It was made better that the win was on Revelstoke害羞草研究所檚 home ice, which is considered an elite Junior B environment, he added.

害羞草研究所淲e had that added extra motivation (and we competed) against the top end with 12 forwards that all played phenomenal, same thing with six defenceman who were monsters and kept it simple.

害羞草研究所淭here were lots of ups and downs but we found the balance.害羞草研究所�

There was a bitter-sweetness to the weekend, however, as it marked Ethan Rau害羞草研究所檚 last game e in net for Princeton against Sicamous.

The KIJHL trade deadline was Jan. 10, and the team害羞草研究所檚 number one goaltender moved up to Junior A in Melville, Sask.

害羞草研究所淚t hurts, of course,害羞草研究所� said Readman. 害羞草研究所淏ut we want guys to come into our program to succeed. Ethan is deserving of this opportunity, but it hurts to see him go.害羞草研究所�

Twenty-year-old Peyton Trzaska, who has played the last two years in Princeton, has returned, and it was he who backstopped the Posse against Revelstoke, making 40 saves.

Readman commented briefly on another KIJHL issue that arose last week, when a line brawl broke out during a game between between Nelson and Beaver Valley. The Nelson Leafs害羞草研究所� coach resigned after being suspended by the league, and the team was fined $5,000.

The incident was discussed with Posse players, said Readman.

害羞草研究所淭he league handled it quickly and in the right way. That kind of stuff is obviously in the past害羞草研究所� It害羞草研究所檚 not acceptable in today害羞草研究所檚 game.害羞草研究所�

The Posse, which has already secured its playoff berth, has 11 more contests in the regular season.

On Friday, Jan. 13, the team hosts the third-place Columbia Valley Rockies with puck drop at 7 p.m.

害羞草研究所淚t should be a phenomenal game,害羞草研究所� said Readman.

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email:andrea.demeer@similkameenspotlight.com