The Creston Valley Thunder Cats got off to a lacklustre start in the first round of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League playoffs on the weekend, losing to the Kimberley Dynamiters on Friday and Saturday.
Friday’s game at the Kimberley Civic Centre saw the Thunder Cats lose 2-1 in double overtime, in a game that started with a Thunder Cats goal by Trevor Hanna at 0:33 in the first period. The Dynamiters followed that with a goal a minute-and-a-half into the third period, and the game remained tied 1-1 until the Dynamiters scored the game-winner in the second overtime period.
On Saturday, the Thunder Cats fared better, but so did the Dynamiters, who enjoyed a 6-3 win. Thunder Cats Jordan Johnson (two) and Trevor Forward scored the game’s first three goals. Kimberley followed those with one in the first period, two in the second and three in the third.
The best of seven series returns to Creston for games tonight and tomorrow at the John Bucyk Arena. If necessary, the Thunder Cats will play in Kimberley on Thursday and Saturday, and in Creston on Friday.
Comments from Thunder Cats head coach Brent Heaven were not yet available.