Thirteen Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) teams have scored in the first minute of a period this season, for a total of 24 goals.

The Columbia Valley Rockies lead with four first-minute goals, followed by the Spokane Braves and Summerland Steam with three. The Beaver Valley Nitehawks, Fernie Ghostriders, Kelowna Chiefs and Nelson Leafs have scored two, while the Princeton Posse, North Okanagan Knights, Kamloops Storm, Kimberley Dynamiters, Creston Valley Thunder Cats and Golden Rockets each have one. Josh Humphreys of the Braves and Kyle Cyr of the Steam are the only players with two first-minute goals.

Now let’s get into this week’s KIJHL Notebook.

Eddie Mountain Division

The Columbia Valley Rockies have seven wins in nine games and goalie Nate Glenn says the group has put together good efforts, but feel they haven’t been “consistent enough yet.”

“When we’re going up against the top-end teams, we’re putting together a good game, we’re playing in our system and doing the right things,” said Glenn, named the Top Goalie in the Hudl Instat KIJHL 3 Stars of the Week. “It’s just on the road, we have to be more consistent out of the gate.”

Last weekend against Creston, he said they were flat in the first and gradually got better. Glenn added that a 3-0 win over Kimberley gave the group “a massive confidence boost.”

On teammates Tysin Mulligan and Carter Velker, who lead the team with 11 points each.

“Mulligan has been an awesome two-way guy. He is doing all the little things and putting points on the board. Velker is a very good two-way forward. He gets into battles, and is doing the right stuff.”

Parker Konneke had a goal and three assists in the Kimberley Dynamiters overtime win over the Castlegar Rebels after they were shutout against the Rockies. Konneke said his weekend started slow with his performance against Columbia Valley.

“I definitely had some pent up anger from losing the night before,” said Konneke. “I let loose against Castelgar and put up four points.”

Konneke said his play this season has been pretty good and he’s been able to produce, with 14 points in eight games.

“I feel like I’m having a good impact on the Dynamiters,” said Konneke, who split last season with Virden in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and Olds in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

Playing in those leagues, which Konneke said are “very high level” taught him to do the little things right. He is mentally better and has improved in keeping his feet moving when playing defensively. He is also playing at a quicker pace and his shot is better.

Jack Lambert of the Fernie Ghostriders now has six goals in seven games after scoring three in their two games on the weekend.

The Edmonton, Alberta product has matched the six goals he scored last season in 22 games. Lambert also has a game-winning goal.

Prezton Stewart is tied with linemate Brayden Bissell for six points to lead the Golden Rockets.

“I feel like I have been doing pretty good. Of late I’ve been putting a good stretch of games together,” said Stewart. “We haven’t been able to get the W, but we are working really hard in practice and I think if we make some minor adjustments, we can win those tight games.”

An explosive player, Stewart likes to play a gritty style, get in the corners and be a playmaker. He credited Bissell for helping him and says “we connect well and set up plays for each other.”

Max Chakrabarti collected two assists in the Creston Valley Thunder Cats’ games against Castlegar and Columbia Valley over the weekend. The younger brother of Luke liked his play as well as the team.

“There are always things to improve on,” said Max. “I want to make a good first pass, good pinches and be strong defensively.”

Max attended the BCHL Cranbrook Bucks’ training camp and received valuable feedback to play with pace, harder, as well as making passes when he can.

Now in his second KIJHL season, Max has eight assists in eight games. Last season he had five goals and 20 points in 41 games and played for the KIJHL Prospects team in the BCHC Prospects Game. While his stats are pretty good to start, he knows he has lots to work on and isn’t worried too much about the points. He wants to help his team win and qualify for the playoffs.

Click here to read about the rest of the KIJHL.

Stephanie Stevens photo

KIJHL

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