The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 17
February 27, 2009
Old Zone says thanks Hockey Talk: Rockies By Harold Hazelaar Pioneer Columnist This week our bouquet of thanks goes to Barry Maybuck (Inside Edge) and Leo Johnson (Kicking Horse Coffee). Both teams have the same colour jerseys, so once these guys get past the identity crisis, the tough question they keep asking themselves is: “Who do I prefer to play for?” Free coffee or free skate-sharpening? Hmm, tough call! Finally, just in case you care, February 18th
results: Lake Auto edged the Black Smoke, Warwick smeared Da’Mudders, Valley Vision scorched Hi
Heat, PetroCan kicked Kicking Horse. League website: www. leaguelineup.com
Old Timer Hockey Playoff Standings Team
W L
T
PTS.
Radium Petro-Can Killer Tomatoes
3
0
0
6
Huckleberry Hawks
3
0
0
6
Warwick Wolves
3
1
0
6
Inside Edge Black Smoke
2
2
0
4
Lake Auto Mustangs
2
1
0
4
Kicking Horse Coffee
0
2
2
2
Valley Vision Vultures
1
2
0
2
Hi Heat Hustlers
0
3
1
1
Dale Christian Mudders
0
3
1
1
INSIDE EDGE BLACK SMOKE – Back row, left to right: Ken Schmitz, Stan Nokleby, Don Clutterham, Wade Shaw, Pat Findlater, Vik Sigalis, Leonard Hynes. Front row: Jim Bonny, Dave Cassidy, Ralph Stewart, Rory Hromadnik, Neil Woelfle. Missing: Ross Bidinger, Terry Fillatre, Paul King. KICKING HORSE COFFEE – Back row, left to right: Doug Sinclair, Frank Donegan, Dan Steele, Peter Hecher, Kerry Colonna, Barry Maybuck. Front row: Ken Kinnersley, Jim Turner, Grant Simpson (wasn’t he in last week’s photo too?), Harald Kloos. Missing: Dale MacKay, Barry Reid, George White, Kevin Wilkins, Ron Davidson.
end season in fifth
Editor’s Note: As this will be John’s last column for The Pioneer, we would like to thank him for a season of well-written, entertaining columns. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours. By John Helm Columbia Valley Rockies The Rockies climbed onto the bus just after noon on Friday, February 20th, bound for the Shuswaps to play their last two games of the year. The bus driver, J.C. Alacoque, piloted something of a smaller load: Columbia Valley had just 15 players, including Tryg Strand and Drew Nikirk. A few of the boys went home injured, Brandon Anderson was recalled to Lethbridge, and Tyler Spaan went home to Alaska a week early. In addition, Mattias Schmitt and Kyle Rademaker were sick and unable to perform, so the Rockies dressed just a dozen position players against the Sicamous Eagles. The home side took little time to take control, scoring two goals in the first two minutes and two more in the period to lead by four after one. From there the Rockies calmed down and played a solid game, backstopped by the outstanding play of Hunter Shaw in goal. Shaw made several big saves, including about five flashy glove stops, to keep the game from getting too ugly. Travis Cech popped one in for Columbia Valley in the third to spoil the shutout and make the final score 4-1 Eagles. The next night the Rockies played their last game in Chase against the Chiefs. The Rockies opened the scoring as Cech made a nice pass down low to Nolan Zarazun, who snapped a shot up and over the Chiefs’ goalie. Garrett Griffith grabbed the second assist. Chase answered with a pair of goals including one on the man advantage to lead 2-1 after one. The home side scored the only two of the second and then three more in the third before the Rockies could counter.
Warren Leslie slapped home a power play goal and then Brent McQueen scored 39 seconds later to make the score 7-3. Chase added a short-handed goal late: final score 8-3. Shaw had 42 saves with moments of brilliance even while hanging on the line like a T-shirt in the summer breeze. Brett Bjorkman and Travis Cech had two and three assists respectively. The Rockies handed out player awards after a wind-up banquet at Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena on Wednesday, February 18th. The dinner was held in part to thank billet families, volunteers and, of course, players and coaches for their efforts this 30th season of junior hockey in the Columbia Valley. The players voted on several categories and here are the winners. • Most Valuable Player: Reid Mitchell • Unsung Hero: Brent McQueen • Most Dedicated: Garrett Griffith • Best all-round player: Reid Mitchell, Mattias Schmitt • Top Defenseman: Mitch Lutz, Warren Leslie • Most assists: Reid Mitchell • Most goals: Brett Bjorkman • Most Points: Reid Mitchell • Top Rookie: Jason Diehl • Most Improved: Zack Maclellan Two Rockies played in all 52 games this season: Mike Onzick and Garrett Griffith were the team’s iron men. Hunter Shaw is the Rockies’ nominee for February Player of the Month. On another note, I neglected to mention at the time he was hurt: Brody Powell, an Invermere product, was forced onto the injured list due to a damaged knee. Before his season was cut short, Brody scored his first KIJHL goal in Summerland on September 27th. The Rockies finished the season at 19-24-9. They stand fifth in the Eddie Mountain Division with 47 points.