Rockies hand out the hardware

by Steve Mantyka.

In a season that saw the Rockies completely rebuild their hockey team and bring in a host of young men in an attempt to turn the corner on an organization looking to find itself, the Rockies had several bright spots, mostly things that don’t show up in the box score.

As the season ended, the year-end banquet was held at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch No. 71 and here are the award winners: Most Valuable Player – Jeff Magee – Jeff joined our club when our original goalie went down with an injury and he took the job in the net with a carpenter’s patience, knowing he would face a lot of shots and game in, game out, Jeff battled to keep our team in the game and was, without a doubt, our MVP. [Read more]

Thunder Cats defeat Rockies

by Steve Mantyka.

The Creston Valley Thunder Cats rolled into Invermere for a Saturday night tilt with the Rockies and filled the net four times in the first period en route to an 8-2 romp over the Rockies.

Columbia Valley goalie Jeff Magee faced a barrage of shots all game long, but 19 alone in the first period as the Cats scored at 6:51, 5:14, 3:22 (on the power play) and with just 29 seconds to play in the period to build a comfortable 4-0 lead. [Read more]

Rockies battle, but wins elusive

by Steve Mantyka.

The Columbia Valley Rockies logged plenty of ice time this weekend, but in the end, came out with just one point, losing to Golden and Kimberley before earning a tie with Grand Forks.

Friday night saw the Rockies in Golden to play the Rockets and for forty minutes, the Rockies were solid as they built a 2-0 lead. Then the Rockets launched a comeback, en route to a 5-2 win over the visiting team. [Read more]

Rockies bested by Braves, Dynamiters

by Steve Mantyka.

The Columbia Valley Rockies hosted the Spokane Braves Friday night in a battle that saw more action than a Die Hard movie and was well worth the price of admission as the two teams battled to a 10-7 win for Spokane.

The Braves led 3-0 before Kory Movold got the home boys on the board with a shifty shorthanded effort. A goal rivaled by only those on sports highlight shows. That was a theme tonight as Spokane got one ‘garbage’ goal after another – just simple hard work in front of the night while the Rockies replied with many ‘pretty goals’. [Read more]

Posse round up the Rockies

by Steve Mantyka.

The Princeton Posse rode into Invermere with an inkling to take possesion of two points at the hands of the Columbia Valley Rockies and after 60 minutes, that’s just what they did, riding off with a 5-2 win.

Goals a minute and ten seconds apart midway through the period allowed the Posse a two goal advantage that seemed enough, but Rockies forward Stephen Hynes replied at 5:58 from Kory Movold and the Posse led 2-1 after the first period. [Read more]

Rockies start new year on the road

by Steve Mantyka.

The Columbia Valley Rockies traveled to Creston Valley to play the Thundercats on Saturday night and the Cats attacked with a vengeance, leading to an 8-1 victory at Johnny Bucyk Arena.

Travis Ludwar led the way for Creston, with a hat trick, garnering first star honors. Robbie Stuckey collected three assists and the second star; Blake Kirkham also dished up three assists and was the third star. [Read more]

Rockies conquered by Christmas, lol

by Steve Mantyka.

‘Twas the last game before Christmas, and all through the rink
The Rockies fans were stirring coffee, their favorite drink.
The ice surface was ready, shining bright white,
With the promise of goals, on this wintry night.

The Rockies were listening to Coach Rice’s pep talk,
While they adjusted their jerseys, helmets and jocks.
With Shedden, Moen & Belanger all dressed up in their suits,
The broadcast team settled down in their cozy warm booth. [Read more]

Dynamiters, Eagles topple Rockies

by Steve Mantyka.

The Kimberley Dynamiters came to Invermere to face the Columbia Valley Rockies and a quick paced match up along with stellar goaltending had them come away with a 7-0 win in Invermere. The next night, the Sicamous Eagles were the visiting team and a consistent attack led the way to a 6-2 win over the Rockies, as Columbia Valley continues to struggle to find their way in this rebuilding season.

On Friday night, the Dynamiters lit the lamp early, scoring just 44 seconds into the game, Brennan Foreman with his first of three on the night. The Rockies recovered from that goal and play went back and forth with a slight edge to Kimberley until Brett Luker made it 2-0 at 5:15. That?s the way the period ended. [Read more]

Rockies weather Storm, conquered by Nitehawks

By Steve Mantyka.

The Columbia Valley Rockies began play slowly last weekend, spotting Kamloops a two goal lead early in the first period on goals by Rylee Orr and Gary Rai, before beginning the comeback that would lead to an emotional 6-5 overtime win.

Kevin Dunlop and Briar McNaney scored over seven minutes apart to tie the game at two, but Rai scored his second of the night with ten seconds to play in the period to give Kamloops a 3-2 advantage after 20 minutes. [Read more]

Rebels blast Rockies

by Steve Mantyka.

In a goal filled first period, the game was up for grabs, but eventually a lack of focus by the Rockies and dogged determination by the Castlegar Rebels had them dance away with a 14-5 victory over the Columbia Valley Rockies.

The scoring started before the seats were warm in the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena, Spencer Brodt from KIJHL leading scorer Ryan Aynsley at 19:31. The Rockies had an answer for the Rebels all through the first period, Kevin Anderson knotting the game at one apiece at 17:20, unassisted. [Read more]