Noelene Anderson

Special to The Valley Echo

 

Great start for Rockies at the Eddie on Saturday, January 2nd as they took a 5-2 win over the Golden Rockets.

The Rockets are in a rebuilding year but show up and compete every game.

The Golden Rockets were first on the scoreboard with 1:06 left on clock. Rockets player Ryder Prue scored, assisted by Matthew Thessian. Then, with 50 seconds left on the clock, Rockies player Micheal Cardinal, assisted by Quinn Sobus and Nick Hoobanoff, came streaking down the wing to beat Brody Nelson, tying the game 1-1.

At 17:17 in the second, Colton Robb firmly planted one into the back of the Rockets’ net, assisted by Zach Ross and Luke Bellrose, bringing the score up to 2-1 for the Rockies.

With 9:09 left in the second period, Micheal Cardinal got his second of the night assisted by Doan Smith and Nick Hoobanoff. The Rockies ended the second at 3-1.

At 11:10 in the third, Micheal Cardinal got a hat trick assisted by Doan Smith and Nigel Swab. With the Rockies leading by three, Golden answered back with Ryley Prue getting his second of the night, assisted by Matthew Thessian and Tanner Witt.

With the game at 4-2 and with 6:42 left on the clock, Micheal Cardinal got his fourth of the night, assisted by Doan Smith, giving the Rockies a 5-2 lead.

The Rockies were on the penalty kill (PK) five times and their PK team did an awesome job of not allowing Golden any scoring opportunities. Giovanni Sambrielaz did a solid job for the Rockies and the Home Star was Micheal Cardinal. Golden netminder Brody Nelson was the Away Star, saving 50 of the 55 shots fired at him.

The Rockies’ next home game is on Saturday night, January 9th, against Creston Thundercats at the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena in Invermere, with the Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley as special guests to appreciate all they do for the valley community.

 

Pond Hockey Tournament

The Rockies are hoping to make the Pond Hockey Tournament a bigger event than last year. It’s a wonderful way to showcase our gorgeous valley and bring lots of visitors to our community to play on Lake Windermere.

There is still time to register a team for the Rockies’ annual Pond Hockey Tournament fundraiser. Go to www.rockieshockey.ca and click on the Pond Hockey link for information. The opening night is Friday, January 29th at 5 p.m. The tournament runs all day Saturday and teams get treated to a burger and a Rockies game on Saturday night when the Rockies take on the Spokane Braves. The tournament finishes up on Sunday.

It’s great fun and a wonderful community event so come out and show your support!