New Law: Forget end to last season
With the Osoyoos Coyotes 2017-18 training camp starting Thursday, Ken Law is doing his best to forget about the way last season ended.
“What was that … I don’t remember that at all,” quipped the Coyotes GM and head coach. “It’s a new season now.”
Forty players will be divided into two groups for training camp Thursday to Sunday at the Sun Bowl Arena. The Coyotes will also play two pre-season games against the Princeton Posse during camp — Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Sun Bowl and Sunday at 7 p.m. in Princeton.
As many as 14 players could be back this season – and Law expects they too will be stoked to make amends for the stunning defeat to the Chase Heat in the OkanaganShuswap Conference final in March.
After going 37-8-1-1 to win a third straight Okanagan Division pennant, the Coyotes swept a pair of seven-game series over North Okanagan and Summerland, and led the best-of-five series against the Heat 2-0.
The Coyotes were just three seconds away from completing another sweep, but the home team scored with three seconds left and won 4-3 in overtime.
In Game 4, Osoyoos took a 4-3 lead with 24 seconds to play, only for the Heat to stay alive by scoring with one second to go, before winning against in OT 5-4.
“I’d never seen that happen before … it’s hard to believe it could happen twice in a series,” said Law.
Still, the Coyotes could close the series out in the deciding game at home. After taking a 1-0 lead, the Coyotes surrendered three goals and fell 3-1 – despite outshooting Chase 51-27.
“It took a while to get past it,” Law acknowledging that ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’. “It left a real sour taste in everyone’s mouths.”
The upstart Chase team was swept by Beaver Valley in the league final. Just about everyone expected it would be the Coyotes and Beaver Valley in the final.
“We would have matched up really well with Beaver Valley,” said Law. “(But) that’s why you play the game.”
Law said the Coyotes like to start every season with fire, but added they don’t want to leave any stone unturned this year.
The Coyotes have a solid group of returnees, especially up front. Judd Repole returns for a fifth season and Colin Bell will be back after he finishes a hectic few months of fighting fires for B.C. Forestry.
Hunter Johnson, Carter Robinson, Austin Cleaver, Connor Onstein, Sam Reinbolt and Evan Della Paolera are among the other key pieces up front. Cody Allen and Ryan Allen will anchor the blueline.
“We’ve also got some good young prospects coming in to battle for spots to fill out the roster,” said Law.
In goal, Liam Aiken is expected to step up into the No. 1 role after a superb rookie season as backup to Adam Jones.
“It’s a different mindset being the No. 1, but he’s definitely got the ability and athleticism,” said Law. “We’ll be looking to find another guy to round out (the tandem).”
The 1998-born Aiken posted an incredible 14-1 record with seven shutouts and 1.69 goals-against average in 17 regular season starts. He won his only playoff game and played one other period when Jones got lifted.
The Coyotes will be going for a fourth straight division pennant but Law stressed it will be anything but easy. Summerland only finished four points behind the Coyotes last season, Kelowna is expected to be strong, while Princeton and North Okanagan will be improved.
“It will be a dogfight again, but we don’t mind that at all,” said Law.
The Coyotes also play two pre-season games against the Steam – Sept. 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sun Bowl and Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Summerland Arena.
The Steam opens its training camp this Tuesday in Penticton.