Kuy Schmirler (Image Credit: CFJC Today/Anthony Corea)

By Marty Hastings

IN THE KIJHL

Not-yet-heated Coquihalla Clash rivalry pits Kamloops against Merritt on Wiener Dog Night

Feb 4, 2026 | 4:59 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Storm and Merritt Centennials have yet to develop a fierce rivalry within the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League ranks. 

That is not surprising considering the clubs are in separate divisions and scheduled to play twice each season.  

“I’m sure they feel the same way in their division,” Centennials’ head coach Wes McLeod said. “We don’t like Revelstoke. We don’t like Princeton. We don’t like Kelowna. Our guys don’t know enough about Kamloops. We haven’t played them enough to have that rivalry piece. Geographically, it probably creates a bit of a rivalry and we’ve also got a few boys that grew up in Kamloops, so they want to perform in their hometown, as well.” 

The fourth edition of the Coquihalla Clash is scheduled for Saturday (Feb. 7), a 7:00 p.m. start at McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre. 

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Kamloops swept the series last season, earning a 4-3 overtime victory on Sept. 27, 2024, in Merritt and prevailing 3-2 over the visiting Cents on Feb. 1, 2025. 

Merritt, which vanquished visiting Kamloops 6-4 on Sept. 27, can sweep the 2025-2026 season series with a win on Saturday. 

“With them being a newer team in the league, we don’t quite have that history yet,” Storm head coach Andrew Fisher said. “But with how close they are and some of the changes that might be coming ahead, we might see them a little bit more, so to kind of build that and start it now is kind of fun.” 

Fisher is referring to the potential for the teams landing in the same division next season if the planned Junior A Tier 1 league is formed. 

In the meantime, both clubs are enjoying success this season. 

Kamloops (28-8-1-1) leads the league and does not hide its league championship aspirations, with Teghan Mullin calling it a championship-or-bust campaign. 

Two Storm players noted on Wednesday the need for improvement in the area of mental toughness. 

“Just from experience, I know there’s a lot of adversity in the playoffs and being mentally tough is so important,” Storm forward Kuy Schmirler said. “I’d say that we’ve had some struggles. For example, last game.” 

Williams Lake (21-11-1-3) thumped visiting Kamloops 6-0 on Saturday (Jan. 31), a night after the Storm earned one of their most notable wins of the season, a 5-4 victory over the visiting Revelstoke Grizzlies (27-6-1-2), a longtime rival and the top team in the Bill Ohlhausen Division. 

“Huge emotional win against Revelstoke,” Storm forward Nolan MacPherson said. “That was definitely the team to beat for us, getting revenge from New Year’s Eve (4-2 loss in Revelstoke), and I think we were just kind of on our high horse afterwards and did not come out to play against Williams Lake. They really just put it to us.” 

The Centennials have been trending upward, an 8-3 setback on Tuesday in Princeton their first regulation defeat since Dec. 6. 

“We had a lot of bodies that moved in and out, just getting the right individuals in our locker room,” McLeod said. “Now we’ve found that mix and that’s helped us build that identity over the last few months.” 

For the casual hockey fan, the Coquihalla Clash may be of interest as it doubles as Wiener Dog Night, a fundraiser for Angel’s Animal Rescue in Merritt. 

Those interested in entering their pooches into the dachshund races can call Storm GM Matt Kolle at 250-319-3738.