By Stephanie Stevens

It was two steps forward and one step back for the Columbia Valley Rockies last weekend.

The Rockies are second in the Eddie Mountain Division of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) and while still relatively early in the season, a loss of focus can cost more than just points.

The team was away in Kimberley Friday, Nov. 15 facing the division leading Dynamiters and came home victorious with a 4-2 win.

“Friday we played really well. We played a good, structured hockey game and it paid off for us in the third picking up a couple of goals early in the period,” said head coach Tayler Sincennes.

Opening up scoring in the second period was Noah Asmundson (assists from Johnny Lozeman and Ashton Sledz), then Carter Velker (Asmundson and Sledz). The third period saw Ethan Cerone (Lozeman) and Carter Hensch (Chance Cole and Asmundson) bring the tally to four.

“It was good to see (Carter) Hensch score our fourth in Kimberley because we picked him up in a trade from the Dynamiters at the beginning of the season,” said Sincennes.

Saturday the boys were back home in the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena squaring off with the Neil Murdoch Division leading Beaver Valley Nitehawks.

“I liked 40 minutes of our game,” said Sincennes. “We started out really structured and executing the small details well. Then we got away from that and gave up four third period goals which is unacceptable. We had an opportunity to beat two really good teams this weekend and I felt like we kind of gave that one away.”

Scoring for the Rockies in the first was Cole (Kobe Mason and Velker). Second period goals were courtesy of Hensch (Lozeman and Asmundson) and Peter Godley (Jack Thorne). One more in the third was courtesy of Carter Tuplin (Trae Lees).

While the game went to the ‘Hawks, it was also the first KIJHL goal for both Cole and Tuplin.

“It was not a great third period Saturday,” said associate coach Tucker Braund.

“We need to recognize we are a good team when we play a certain way and we have to play that way for 60 minutes.

“Especially if we have a lead, teams are not going to roll over for us… we need to keep the pedal down.”

Despite the loss to the ‘Hawks, Braund was also happy the previous night’s performance.

“The game Friday was great, we’ve won a few in a row going back to last year in Kimberley’s rink,” he said. “We played a solid 60 minutes, started each period well and were ready to battle.”

The Rockies are back home in the Eddie this weekend. Friday (Nov. 22) the Kamloops Storm is in town and Saturday the Grand Forks Border Bruins will be in the barn.

Lead image: Rockies’ Carter Tuplin celebrates his first KIJHL goal Saturday in Invermere. Stephanie Stevens photos

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