The Creston Valley Minor Hockey Association’s bantam rep team travelled to Spokane on Nov. 30 for the Fall Classic Bantam AA Tournament. On Friday afternoon, the boys faced familiar rivals in Eagles Arena, battling Cranbrook. Following a scoreless first period, with Matthew Armitage starting in net, Cranbrook put one on the board early in the second. Jake Kolodychuk tied it up unassisted, followed by another by Levi Palmer, also unassisted. Cranbrook tied it up again, followed by another with seven minutes remaining in the third. Despite their best efforts, Creston couldn’t find the back of the net and lost 3-2.
On Saturday morning, Creston faced Seattle, with goaltending shared by Armitage and Cole Bright. The boys started strong but fell short against this strong western team, losing 9-2. Vinny Blackmore, unassisted in the first period, and Brody Ryan, assisted by Ethan Plotnikoff in the second, scored goals for Creston.
On Saturday evening, the team travelled to Coeur D’Alene where they faced Portland with starting goaltender Armitage. An early unassisted goal was scored for Creston by Vinny. A second goal for Creston was scored by Ryan, assisted again by Plotnikoff. The boys lost a 2-1 lead with less than two minutes on the clock and, after an exciting game, finished with a 2-2 tie.
The tournament ended on Sunday morning with a battle against High River, with Bright as starting goaltender. The first two goals for Creston were scored by Kolodychuk, the first assisted by Alex Blackmore, and the second unassisted. The team entered the third period a 2-2 tie. With 1.8 seconds left on the clock, Ryan scored, assisted by Plotnikoff, ending the tournament with the boys’ only win.
—CRESTON VALLEY MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION