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Creston Valley Thunder Cats begin KIJHL playoffs

The Creston Valley Thunder Cats and Kimberley Dynamiters begin the first round of the playoffs tonight, with games in Kimberley...
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The Creston Valley Thunder Cats play their homes games at the Creston and District COmmunity Complex's John Bucyk Arena.

The Creston Valley Thunder Cats and Kimberley Dynamiters begin the first round of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League playoffs tonight, with games in Kimberley today and tomorrow, and Monday and Tuesday in Creston.

With 65 points, the Thunder Cats placed third in the KIJHL’s Eddie Mountain Division (down a position from last season), nine points behind the Dynamiters and 10 behind the Fernie Ghostriders. The Golden Rockets followed with 48, and the Columbia Valley Rockies trailed far behind with seven.

“It’s going to be a good series,” said Thunder Cats head coach Brent Heaven. “Both teams want to win, definitely, and every game means something now.

Last season, the Thunder Cats made it to the second round of the playoffs, after defeating the Golden Rockets in the first round and losing to the Ghostriders in game 7 of the division finals.

Heaven is confident that if the team works hard, they can go at least that far this year.

“If we can play the way that we can, and dictate the play by our work ethic, we can win games and move on in the playoffs,” said Heaven. “If we play five-on-five and stay out of the penalty box, it gives us an opportunity to win the game.”

Vote in the Advance's poll at www.crestonvalleyadvance.ca: Do the Creston Valley Thunder Cats have what it takes to beat the Kimberley Dynamiters in the first round of the KIJHL playoffs?