Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

WOMEN'S HOCKEY

Kamloops Vibe keeps vibing — all the way to the top of the SCWHL standings

Jan 9, 2023 | 3:59 PM

KAMLOOPS — After a tough 2-1 loss to the visiting Burnaby Mountain Capitals on Saturday night, the Kamloops Vibe posted a dominant 5-2 win on Sunday.

That victory was the Vibe’s 13th of the year in the South Coast Women’s Hockey League (SCWHL), as they improved to 13-3-3 on the season. Head coach Gerry Smith attributes that success to a simple formula.

“Four solid lines,” Smith says. “You can’t beat that. The other team has usually got a couple, but when your third line is as good as their first line, it really shows when it gets down through the lineup, as far as the game goes.”

Line-up depth is a luxury every hockey coach dreams of. While the Vibe has been blessed with it this season, it wasn’t guaranteed before the start of the year.

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“Out of the blue came everybody. We ended up with about 26 that wanted to make the team,” Smith recalls. “We whittled that down, and here we are with a whole squad! A complete one – I haven’t had that in about 20 years.”

Kathleen Cahoon is one of those new additions. The former UBC Thunderbird works for the BC Wildfire Service. She’s thankful programs like the Kamloops Vibe exist, as she’s transitioned from her time as a student-athlete and started her career.

“I feel like there’s a bit of an identity crisis once you leave university,” Cahoon says. “You kind of get left wondering what you’re going to do next. Thankfully, we have this league to play in to stay competitive.”

Rochelle Haywood -Farmer is one of those vets that have been with the Vibe for a few seasons now.

“We said it was fourteen — fourteen years,” Haywood-farmer recounts.

How does that make her feel?

“Old,” she says with a laugh. “But not, at the same time, because I’m still playing.”

Haywood-Farmer’s production hasn’t slowed down. She’s second in league scoring this year, with six goals and ten assists in 15 games played. That’s after having a baby less than a year ago.

“Last January, actually. I played provincials — I was eight weeks postpartum after a C-section. Because of COVID, it was just provincials, but it’s so nice to be back this year and playing. We have such a good, solid group of core girls. A mix of veterans and rookies who aren’t really rookies, because they’re ex-UBC players. It’s been good.”

That influx of new talent has helped energize the Vibe program. With two months left in the SCWHL season, they have their sights fixed on a spot in the BC Hockey Provincial Championships, with a belief that they have the horses to get the job done and win another provincial title.

“They love playing. They just love playing the game,” Smith explains. “We’ve got eight games left before provincials in March in Hope.”

“Obviously we have a great goalie in Fish [Ashley Fisher] and coaches and whatnot, so it’s been awesome to be with this team and to set our sights on provincials,” Cahoon says.

The Vibe’s next home games are on Feb. 4 and 5 when they welcome the South Fraser TNT to Kamloops.