By Stephanie Stevens

“It’s about sacrificing everything for each other.”

Columbia Valley Rockies team captain Kobe Mason’s pre-playoff words rang true this past week.

Hard work, a strong team mindset and a whole lotta heart paid off in spades for the Rockies this past week as they achieved a clean sweep in the first round of Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) playoffs.

The Rockies, sitting third in the Eddie Mountain Division at the end of the regular season, squared off with second place Fernie Ghostriders. Games one and two were played in the Fernie Memorial Arena and the Rockies came away with two wins.

“We were obviously really happy going into their rink and coming out with two wins early in the series,” said head coach Tayler Sincennes. “Our specialty teams were excellent in both games. Early in game one we killed off two five-on-threes and that really grabbed us some momentum in that game. Our powerplay went three for four and helped win us the game.”

Scoring in the Friday, Feb. 28 game was Lukas Masters (assist by Noah Asmundson) in the first and in the second period Ethan Cerone (unassisted), Peter Godley (Wyatt Wurtz) and Carter Velker (Asmundson) all found their mark. Velker (Jack Thorne) stepped up again in the third period to end the game 5-3.

Goalie Hunter Arntsen stopped 41 of 44 shots on goal.

The following night included what associate coach Tucker Braund called “one of the wildest third periods” he has seen.

“With the five-minute major penalty to Jonah (Fornier) they could have put us away on the power play and they did get one, but our penalty kill (PK) has been great and we scored a short-handed goal to tie it. Then us scoring with one second left was just wild.”

“Saturday night we played better: we generated way more chances and defended excellently,” said Sincennes. “Again our PK did a great job killing off a five minute major in the third period and our power play went two for three. We still have a lot of work to do to win this series, but we have set ourselves up really well coming back to play at the Eddie in games three and four.”

The score remained 1-0 for the ‘Riders into the third period but Ashton Sledz (Mason and Wurtz) found the net early in, followed by Teo Fath (Wurtz). The game looked to head into overtime but with one second left on the clock, Velker put one more past the Fernie goalie unassisted to win the game 3-2.

“Going into this playoff series, we knew it was going to be a grind,” said Velker. “The atmosphere is definitely different in the post season: there’s a lot more intensity and I feel like as a group we’ve been really good at embracing it. Winning both away games this weekend was huge for us. Playing on the road in an environment like Fernie in the playoffs is never easy, but we knew if we stuck to our game, we could take control of the series early. These wins are important, but we know we still have a job to do.”

On the Saturday night winning goal, Velker said it was an incredible feeling.

“The energy from the team was unreal,” he said. “Everyone was pushing until the final whistle, and you could just feel the belief we had throughout that game. To score a goal like that in a high-pressure moment felt amazing… it’s a goal you imagine as a young kid scoring at the buzzer. As a team we have a lot of momentum right now and we are looking to carry that into these next games.”

Games three and four were played out at Invermere’s Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena March 3 and 4 to full and vocal crowds.

Game three saw goals from Godley (Wurtz and Thorne) and Wurtz (Asmundson and Thorne) in the first period, Sledz (Jack Hefferan and Godley) in the second and Carter Krause (Sam Cristo and Trae Lees), Sledz (Bryan Kim and Cristo) and Mason (Fath and Cerone) in the third for the 6-4 win. Arntsen stopped 30 of 34 shots on goal.

The following night game four action saw Sledz (Kim and Hefferan) in the first, Fath (Cerone and Mason) and Godley (Sledz and Mason) in the second and Fath added an empty netter to close out the score 4-2.

“I’m really proud of the way the guys handled this series,” said Sincennes. “They were very business-like. Our power play and penalty kill were the difference in the series.

“We were confident we could beat them going in and our guys solidified that through sacrifice and laying their bodies on the line. So many guys blocked shots throughout the series and took hits to make plays. We added into that timely scoring from every line and really solid goaltending.”

Assistant coach Tanner Wit echoed Sincennes’ sentiments.

 “I haven’t seen a group like this in a long time as far as accountability and trust within each other,” said Wit. “It’s amazing to see how they build each other up and get one another going. I think like Tayler said our specialty teams shined bright this series and helped keep the momentum on our side of the ice. I am really proud of the group thus far but a long way to go still.”

During the intermission between the first and second period of game four, an upbeat and smiling Kim said the change in the team dynamic from pre to post regular season was palpable.

“In regular season guys were hoping to get points and score goals themselves, but that is gone. We are playing for each other… no one cares who scores the goal, as long as we score it. It’s been incredible.”

Assistant captains Teo Fath, Wyatt Wurtz and Johnny Lozeman stepped up with team captain Mason to guide the team the direction they needed to go.

“The boys really bought into what we were trying to do, everyone putting their bodies on the line blocking shots and taking hits to make plays,” said Wurtz. “Going 4-0 against the Ghostriders was huge, they put up a great fight with all the games being very close but as a team we pushed through lots of ups and downs to come out on top.”

“We really gelled as a team leading up to playoffs and it obviously showed in this first round,” added Lozeman. “I loved how the boys rallied together and how everyone played so selflessly. We never got too high or low and just had a relentless attack. I think that was the key to sweeping such a good team like the Ghostriders. As for next round I think we’re more motivated than ever to continue to play at the best of our ability. It’s a really good feeling to know that every person in our dressing room is ready to sacrifice and do anything in order for us to win.”

“We are all really proud of the guys, the way they’ve come together and how they are motivated for more wins,” said associate coach Tucker Braund. “I think they are realizing their potential and when they put in the work they get positive results.”

Fath added the taking the round in 4 has the added bonus of healing time.

“Sweeping Fernie in the first round is a great feeling and it bought the team time to recover any injuries from those four games,” he said.  “We know Kimbo is a structured and well-coached team… the boys know what it is going to take if we want to beat them.

“How I’ve seen the team come closer is in everyone having each other’s back… knowing that we’re going into battle and those 23 other guys are behind your back is a pretty special feeling.”

This is Fath’s third and final year with the team he has had a hand in leading for the past two seasons and he calls his leadership style “relatable and energetic.

“When the four of us have our captains’ meeting to talk about strategies, we will get everyone involved and talk about it as a team. And when that’s all done me, Kobe, John and Wyatt will talk about that meeting, take what we heard and find a way to turn that into inspiration and fire for the team.”

Braund is looking forward to match up this round brings.

“We are excited for the challenge,” he said. “They are the best team in the division and one of the best in the league. I know they have high expectations for themselves but we do too. We are happy with where our team’s game is right now, the boys have come together and are playing awesome. It’s really a lot of fun being around them right now with all the positive energy. We have had a few days of active recovery and some really good practices going into a full Monday to Thursday schedule. We will be ready and willing to accept the challenge of the Kimberley Dynamiters.”

“We are ready and hungry,” said Wurtz. “I’m very proud of all the guys because these wins were a full team effort from top to bottom.”

Games one and two are in Kimberley this Friday and Saturday, three and four will be in the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena Monday March 17 and Tuesday March 18. If needed, game five will be in Kimberley March 21, game six in Invermere March 22 and game several in Kimberley March 24.

Stephanie Stevens photos

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