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Thunder Cats fall to Kimberley, but topple Summerland

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The Kimberley Dynamiters were less than gracious guests on Saturday, Oct. 21, at the Johnny Bucyk Arena, defeating the host Thunder Cats 2-0.

Two first period goals were the difference in the tight fought affair, from Tristan Weill at the 5:44 minute mark, and from Luke Rothfos with only nine seconds left in the frame.

The Creston power play couldn’t capitalize on four straight Dynamiters penalties in the third, facing a hot goalie in Matt Fleet in net for Kimberley. Creston also went scoreless on its two chances on Kimberley minor penalties.

The Thunder Cats’ Austin McLean was awarded a 10-minute misconduct at the game’s end.

Dario Cantini, in goal for Creston, stopped 27 of the 29 shots he faced. Matt Fleet made 26 saves on Creston shooters.

It was a different story the night before, Friday, Oct. 20, as Creston dumped the visiting Summerland Steam 5-3. The Thunder Cats fired 45 shots on goaltender Jasper Tait — at the other end, Jacob Burnside made 18 saves on 21 Steam shots.

It may have been the Steam’s Eric Mullen who opened the scoring in the first period, but the Thunder Cats scored the next three straight — from Taylor Schmideder, Landon Hedges and Simon Hamilton (to start the second period), and never looked back.

Connor Nicolay’s power play goal on Burnside got the Steam closer, but Brendan Kindlein got the two-goal lead back, and Tyson Tokarz put it away in the third period, with a power play goal for Creston.

Keenan Conn put in a short handed goal for Summerland in the dying seconds of the game.

The weekend results put the Thunder Cats at a 10-5-4-0 record, and fourth place in the Eddie Mountain Division of the KIJHL with 11 points, ahead of the Golden Rockies (eight points) and behind the Fernie Ghostriders (12). The Columbia Valley Rockies and Kimberley Dynamiters are first and second in the division, with 16 and 14 points respectively.

The Creston Thunder Cats’ next game is Friday, Oct. 27, against the red hot Columbia Valley Rockies at the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena in Invermere. On Sunday afternoon, Oct. 29, The Cats are back home to host the Golden Rockets.



Barry Coulter

About the Author: Barry Coulter

Barry Coulter had been Editor of the Cranbrook Townsman since 1998.
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