The Kamloops Storm enter the weekend knowing things aren’t going the way they wanted.

The team has been battling the flu bug, but with just one game this weekend head coach Ed Patterson is hoping the team will be able to deal with it.

The Storm host the Princeton Posse at McArthur Island Sports Centre tonight at 7 p.m.

“It hasn’t been the best week of practice. They will have to suck it up mentally and work their butts off to get through the game,” Patterson said.

On the positive side the Storm will have Anthony Manfredi back in the lineup after missing four games with an ear infection.

The team has an opportunity to take first place in the conference with a win.

The Posse have a 3-4-1 record and sit in fifth place.

“They have changed a lot since the last time we saw them. It’s always a good battle between the two of us,” Patterson said.

The team will be without Travis Cech for tonight’s game.

He’s serving the final game of his suspension for removing his helmet during a fight.

Following tonight’s game the team will have a week off before heading on a four games in five nights road trip.

Patterson is excited about the trip.

“It’s going to be exciting to be on the road and getting some time to bond. “We haven’t had a big trip like this yet and it’s coming at a good time,” Patterson said.

n The Storm will be without 16-year-old forward Ryan Hanes for two weeks.

Hanes is having surgery on his ankle due to an infection, which caused fluids to build up around it.

Patterson expects him back following the road trip.

“It isn’t very serious but it’s better to get it dealt with now instead of putting it off.”

Team battling Princeton and flu bug

Christian Pederson and the Kamloops Storm will take on the Princeton Posse tonight at McArthur Island Sports Centre. KTW file photo