The Eddie Mountain division of the Kootenay Conference is currently the tightest division in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League with just eight points separating first from fifth place. The Columbia Valley Rockies are in the thick of it, sitting five points behind the division leading Creston Valley Thunder Cats.

The schedule is a huge factor for the Rockies, with a total of eight home games this month and only two away. Only three of the remaining six games are against teams in our division. The Sicamous Eagles are in town on Friday (November 8th) for the lone game this week. Come out to see the Thunder Cats in action on Saturday, November 16th and see the squad from Spokane in a rare Sunday afternoon game on the 17th. Game time that Sunday will be 1 p.m.

Congratulations to #12 Doan Smith on being named the Player of the Month for October. The 18-year-old scored eight goals and added six assists in the month, earning him the award. Smith is hard on the heels of team leader Ryan Henderson with a total of 21 points to Hendy’s 22.

The team was hit hard by the injury bug the past couple of weeks. At one time, there were eight players sidelined for various reasons. A bench that short is bound to run into some late game difficulties but the Rockies have played hard each and every outing. Three of those players were back for last weekend’s games and it sounds like at least one more could be back for this Friday night.

The One-on-One Reading Program is set to begin soon so many of the Rockies will be headed back to elementary school to read and listen to primary students. This is a great interactive program for the players as well as the students. Some of the Rockies have also got to know some of their younger fans by helping out with skating classes at the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena during the week.

It is Movember… so those aren’t shadows you are seeing on those teen-aged upper lips! Yes, the boys are doing their bit again this year and growing their best mustaches. Some of the them have had quite a head start, though. Have a look at #28 Adam Pulliam — a lot of men will be eating their hearts out.

The clock has fallen back and the nights are getting longer (and colder)… so we hope to see even more people spending their evenings at the Eddie supporting the Rockies. You’ll see some exciting hockey, maybe win a program prize or yell loud enough to get a box of TimBits! It’s a chance to shoot to win a vehicle, ski passes, game passes or maybe win the 50/50 draw. It’s a great way to spend a winter evening… see you there!

Marilyn Berry writes bi-weekly about the Columbia Valley Rockies Junior B boys’ hockey team. She can be reached at maberry 7@yahoo.com.