The Creston Valley Thunder Cats came this close to defeating perennial powerhouse Fernie Ghostriders in the team’s only game last weekend.
It was the Fernie team, though, that was most able to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner after squeaking out a 2-1 overtime victory at home on Saturday evening.
“Overall we played a really good game and we had many chances to win,” Cats’ coach Josh Hepditch said on Tuesday. “But they put a lucky bounce by us in overtime to gain the extra point.”
While the stat sheet indicated a 41-33 edge in shots for the Ghostriders, Hepditch thought the game was pretty even.
“We had a goal called back in the first period that probably shouldn’t have been called back,” he said. “But those things happen and they tend to balance out.”
Standouts in Saturday’s game, according to the first-year head coach, included Trevor Hanna, who scored the Thunder Cats’ only goal—“and had a lot of good chances”—and goalie Michael Hails.
“Our goalie gave us a chance to win,” said Hepditch. “He kept us right in the game throughout.”
A strong effort by defenseman Brady Ward was also noted, though the coach added the entire roster played well.
“It was good to see that we are as competitive as the Fernie team,” he said.
The close Eddie Mountain Division shows only four points separating the five teams, with Fernie now in top spot with 11 points, followed by Kimberley (10), Columbia Valley (9) and Golden and Creston with 7 points apiece.
The Thunder Cats could be right back in the thick of the race for first place with a pair of victories over the Kimberley Dynamiters this weekend. The teams play on Friday in Creston and Saturday in Kimberley.
“These are two really big games for us,” Hepditch said.