It was a sign of good things to come on Nov. 10, when the Creston Valley Thunder Cats set a Kootenay International Junior Hockey League record by scoring six seconds into the game — Scott Butters’ goal was the first of eight Thunder Cats goals in a game that saw them earn an 8-2 victory over the Columbia Valley Rockies.
“The boys played well,” said head coach Brent Heaven. “We come out with a lot of energy and were able to get out to an early lead.”
Goals by Brock Ward and Scott Swiston in the first period and by Brandon Formosa (two), Tre Potskin and Butters in the second gave the Thunder Cats a 7-0 lead before the Rockies scored twice in the third period. Swiston scored the Thunder Cats’ eighth on a power play with five minutes left in the game.
On Saturday, the Cats lost 5-4 in overtime when they visited the Fernie Ghostriders.
“That was a great, exciting, very aggressive, in your face game,” said Heaven. “Both teams came out really hungry and both really wanted to win.”
The Ghostriders scored the first two goals, followed by Thunder Cats goals by Potskin and Jordan Johnson in the first period. Jovi Fabbri scored the Cats’ only goal in the second period, which ended with the Creston team down 4-3.
Ryan Murry tied the game with a power-play goal in the third period, but fighting throughout the game left the Thunder Cats without some of their key players, who had been targeted by Fernie.
The winning goal was scored by Fernie 41 seconds into overtime.
This weekend, the Thunder Cats host the Grand Forks Border Bruins on Friday.
“Hopefully, we can get out there and get two points early and really get ourselves ready for the other two games,” said Heaven.
The Cats head to Golden to take on the Rockets on Saturday, then host the North Okanagan Knights on Sunday.
“I’m expecting them to come out looking for a big win,” said Heaven. “We’re going to have to come out and play with our best effort. …
“The Thunder Cats aren’t a pushover. They’re a tough team and they’re going to battle, and battle hard every night if they want to win some of them.”