Connor Fortems scored two goals Tuesday, leading the visiting Kamloops Storm to a 5-3 victory over the Chase Heat in a Kootenay International Junior Hockey League game played before 245 fans at Art Holding Memorial Arena.

The victory improved the Storm’s record to 7-2-0-2 and lifted it into second place in the Doug Birks Division, one point behind the North Okanagan Knights (8-2-01) and one ahead of the Sicamous Eagles (6-1-1-2). The Heat (3-8-0-1) is last in the division, seven points behind the Revelstoke Grizzlies (6-4-1-1).

Fortems, an 18-year-old forward from Delta, scored his first two goals of the season, Chase led 1-0 after one period, with the teams 2-2 heading into the third.

Jacky Lu gave the Storm a 3-2 lead, only to have Ethan Kalugin pull Chase into a tie.

Fortems then deflected a Jason Anderson shot while on a power play to score the winner with 8:28 to play.
Austin Braid supplied Kamloops with insurance as he scored an empty-net goal.

Sasha Perron had the Storm’s other goal, while Dominick Hodges and Levi Chamberlain had Chase’s other goals.

Kamloops goaltender Marcus Beesley stopped 47 shots, while Chase’s Jacob Mattes turned aside 44.

The Storm next plays on Saturday when it entertains Sicamous at the McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre. Game time is 7 p.m.

The Heat is in Sicamous on Friday, at 7 p.m.