The Columbia Valley Rockies hit the road this past weekend for their longest trip of the season, with stops in 100 Mile House, Quesnel, and Williams Lake. It turned out to be a true test of endurance, three games in three nights, and while the results were mixed, the Rockies finished on a high note with a thrilling overtime win to wrap up the trip.
The weekend opened Friday in 100 Mile House, where both teams leaned on their defense and goaltending. The first period went scoreless, and the tension built until the Wranglers finally broke through midway through the second to take a 1-0 lead. Despite a solid push from the Rockies late in the game, that lone goal held up as the difference. Goaltender Piet Mierau was outstanding for Columbia Valley, turning aside 37 shots and earning the title of visiting team star.
Saturday’s stop in Quesnel was a completely different story; goals came early and often. The River Rush jumped out to a 4-1 lead after the first period, with Brayden Roe scoring the Rockies’ lone tally, assisted by Easton Doan and Lukas Masters. The Rockies battled back in the second, getting goals from Carter Velker and Isaac Sommer, with Cole King chipping in assists. But Quesnel kept pressing and stretched their lead to 7-3 heading into the third. The Rockies made things interesting in the final frame with a furious rally. Ethan Cerone scored on the power play, followed by a goal from Peter Godley, and then Carter Hensch added another to pull the Rockies close. Godley was in on everything, finishing with a goal and multiple assists, but the comeback fell short in a wild 9-6 loss.
Sunday’s game in Williams Lake brought the weekend’s best hockey. The Mustangs came in on a three-game home winning streak and grabbed an early 2-0 lead, but the Rockies answered back before the buzzer. With just ten seconds left in the first, Ethan Cerone scored to cut the deficit in half, assisted by Velker and Godley. That late goal seemed to spark the team. Phoenix Flett tied things up early in the second, and Carter Hensch gave the Rockies their first lead of the night soon after. Flett added another before the period ended, sending the game to the third tied 4-4.
In the third period, Flett completed his hat trick with Cohen Carlson picking up the assist to push the game into overtime. In the extra frame, the Rockies finished what they started. Johnny Lozeman converted a setup from Ethan Cerone, capping off a full-team effort and securing a 6-5 win to close out the trip. Head Coach Tucker Braund summed up the weekend saying: “Tough weekend; close game Friday, we just couldn’t get any past their goalie. Saturday wasn’t a very good start we hung in the game though and made it competitive near the end. Sunday was good, a good battle, and we outlasted them in the end. Lots of work to do this week in practice.”
The Rockies return home this weekend riding that momentum and will look to build on Sunday’s dramatic finish. Fans can catch them back at the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena on Friday and Saturday night.
Did You Know?
Rockies hockey isn’t just one of the best values in the league, it’s one of the best entertainment deals in the Columbia Valley! Game day tickets in Invermere are cheaper than in 100 Mile House ($17), Quesnel ($17.10), or Williams Lake ($16.75). Rockies adult tickets are just $15.63 when purchased in advance on Showpass (rockieshockey.ca).
