Thanks to a 3-2 win over the Columbia Valley Rockies, the Creston Valley Thunder Cats are guaranteed to end the season in second place in the Eddie Mountain Division of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.
“It was good to clinch second place,” said head coach Joe Martin. “We can start looking forward to the playoffs.”
With 53 points, the Thunder Cats are 25 behind Fernie, with 78, and just ahead of the Golden Rockets, with 44. The Kimberly Dynamiters sit behind Golden with 36 points, and the Rockies are a distant last with 22.
Friday’s game in Invermere began with a goal by Kane Dawe in the first period, followed by one from Cody Antos in the second.
The Rockies scored twice late in the third period; between them. Kane Dawe scored the goal that became the game-winner.
The Thunder Cats hosted the Fernie Ghostriders on Friday, a game that resulted in a 3-2 victory for Fernie, despite taking 52 penalty minutes to the Thunder Cats’ 12.
“I don’t know if they were trying to physically intimidate us,” said Martin. “They have a pretty small team that’s offensively gifted, but they’re not the strongest guys.”
Brandon Formosa scored the Thunder Cats first of two goals, with Jordan Johnson’s coming in the third period. Between the goals, the Ghostriders scored three times, twice on power plays and once shorthanded.
“They played their best game and we didn’t play ours.”
Sunday’s home game against the Golden Rockets resulted in a 5-3 loss, with first- and third-period goals by Dawe, and a third-period goal by Johnson.
“We played about 40 minutes of that game and took some time off unconsciously,” said Martin.
This weekend, the Thunder Cats visit Fernie on Friday, and host the Kimberley Dynamiters on Saturday.