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Mixed results for recent minor hockey games

The Creston Valley Minor Hockey bantam B team had an awesome weekend playing in Kimberley on Nov. 5...

The Creston Valley Minor Hockey bantam B team had an awesome weekend playing in Kimberley on Nov. 5, scoring nine goals to take a win 9-4 over Kimberley. Coach Tony Mulder says the players played a disciplined game with only one penalty.

First to score was Owen Blackmore, assisted by Otto Blackmore and Abdul Samai, then Jayden Gigliotti assisted by Owen, Owen from Otto and Gigliotti, Gigliotti from Zack King and Owen, Laredo Blackmore from Otto, and then a smiling hat trick for Gigliotti from Owen, and to give one back an Owen from Gigliotti and to finish off with an Otto from Gigliotti.

A disallowed goal scored by King was a close one. Goalie Chris Mulder only let one get by and stopped a penalty shot. All the lines played well.

On Nov. 6, the team played in Cranbrook against Key City with players Taylor Pinch, Reese Searle and David Bartraw. A fast game ensued with goals traded to 4-'4 in the third period. One of Creston’s players got chopped down and another’s encounter with the boards led to two quick Cranbrook goals, and then another ending in a 7-4 win for Key City. Goals were scored by Otto (two), Gigliotti and Jacob Endersby.

The Creston bantam B team will be playing in Creston from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Nov. 19 against Elk Valley and 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Nov. 20 against Spokane.

•On Nov. 12, the peewee house team played its first East Kootenay league game of the season against Cranbrook Dodge, which the Creston Bruins lost 3-2.

Cranbrook Dodge was the first to score with only 5:08 left in the first period. The second period brought Creston's first goal of the game by Vinson Blackmore with an assist from Alex Blackmore. Cranbrook replied with two more goals to finish out that period. Creston played a hard third period with a comeback in their sights. Alex Blackmore scored an unassisted goal with 3:36 left in the period.

•After starting the season with five victories and then four losses at a recent tier 2 tournament, the Creston Chiefs peewee rep hockey club opened tier 3 league play against Invermere in a home-and-home on the weekend.

On Saturday at home, the Chiefs came out ready to play, and from the very start set the tone. The result was a dominating 11-0 win. Team play and equal scoring from everyone was nice to see since the team  has been struggling offensively.

Sunday in Invermere, was no different; the Chiefs scored early and often, leading to a 15-1 victory. The lines were changed up a bit, and the players responded with even more passing and better offense.

Defensive structure and goaltending are Chiefs’ strong points, but the offensive game has got to be more creative, and the team is willing to pay the price for success. With great teamwork and effort from the team, the goal is to be more consistent, as they enter tougher league games and tournaments.

•The Creston midget Chiefs hosted two teams, the Elk Valley Wild and Cranbrook midget Ice on the weekend.

Elk Valley started out of the gate with pressure on the puck catching the Chiefs on their heels for the first six minutes of the first period, resulting in a 2-0 lead. The Chiefs made some line adjustments at that time and were able to get some consistency. Liam Oswald scored his first goal of the season, followed by Josh Samuels netting two to end the first period 3-2.

The second period started with the Chiefs in the penalty box, and that is how the second period ended — with the Chiefs killing 14 minutes in penalties and down a goal, trailing 4-3.

“We spent 28 minutes in the box,” said Coach Chris Luke Jr. “Our guys have to learn that you can’t have your hands up in their cages or you’ll get a hitting to the head penalty. Am I concerned? A little bit, especially if it’s being called on the same players.”

In the third period, the Chiefs tied the game at the 13-minute mark, then went ahead 5-4, with the Chiefs falling to penalty trouble. The Wild pressed hard to make a comeback, scoring two goals in last three minutes, beating the Chiefs 6-5.

“Some good things came out of that game,” said Luke. “I was able to see how my guys react to pressure, being down two goals after six minutes and working to get back in the game. Some players work well under pressure, making good choices with the puck, and others not so well.

“In saying that, we are only three games into the season. I can work with that. Being the coach, I place them in situations I think they can handle and slowly get them in pressure situations.”

Creston hosted Cranbrook Ice on Sunday afternoon. The Chiefs not wanting this one to slip away, they began building on the successes of the previous game. They started out of the gate with pressure on the puck and in the opposition’s end, resulting in a 2-0 lead after the first period. With ongoing pressure and less time spent in the penalty box, the Chiefs ended the second period up 3-1, and applying pressure throughout the game resulting in the Chiefs beating Cranbrook 5-1.

“The boys fared better, cutting minutes spent in the penalty box by about half,” said Luke. “I hope they find that playing five-on-five is much easier. Choices they make on the ice affect the team, the game and, more times than most, the outcome of the game. Most of the guys have that understanding.”

— CRESTON VALLEY MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION