The Columbia Valley Rockies gave their home fans plenty to cheer about on New Year’s Eve delivering a statement win in front of one of the loudest crowds of the season at Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena.
A special night turned electric as attendance climbed past 790 with Swansea Ranch hosting a New Year’s Eve party in the mezzanine bringing more than 100 celebrants to help create a playoff style atmosphere. The stakes were high as the visiting Creston Valley Thundercats sit directly ahead of the Rockies in the chase for the final playoff spot and the hometown crew rose to the moment.
The building erupted just 1:29 into the opening period when Harrison Todd opened the scoring finishing a crisp setup from Parker Cutts and Chance Cole. The Rockies kept their foot on the gas late in the frame as Lachlan Hanton buried one from Johnny Lozeman to make it 2-0 after 20 minutes.
The second period tightened up into a defensive battle with both teams digging in and goaltending taking center stage. The breakthrough came five minutes into the third when Hanton struck again, this time finishing a feed from Jack Miller to extend the lead to 3-0.
With the crowd on its feet Brayden Roe put the finishing touch on the night scoring with just 50 seconds left from Trae Lees and Chance Cole. The final horn sounded on a dominant 4-0 Rockies victory, a shutout delivered in front of a massive hometown crowd on one of the biggest nights of the year.
Head Coach Tucker Braund was pleased with the complete effort. “Really happy with the game on New Year’s Eve we played a full 60 minutes and got rewarded for it,” said Braund. “A shutout in front of a massive crowd at home was a nice way to put 2025 away. We are chasing Creston for the last playoff spot so to beat them at home like that was helpful in the standings as well as for our confidence.”
The Rockies were back on the road Friday night travelling to the Plywood Palace in Golden to take on the Rockets. The home side opened the scoring midway through the first but the Rockies responded quickly with a goal from Chance Cole. Golden answered back once more before Carter Hensch pulled the Rockies even at 2-2, finishing a play from Johnny Lozeman. The Rockies also had a goal waved off in the opening frame sending both teams to the dressing room tied.
Golden took control in the second period striking four times including two power-play goals to open up a 6-2 lead after 40 minutes. Columbia Valley pushed hard in the third outshooting Golden 18-4 and were rewarded with a power play marker from Peter Godley assisted by Parker Cutts. Despite the late push the Rockies fell 6-3.
Reflecting on the road loss, Braund emphasized consistency. “Friday’s game in Golden was a good 40 minutes of hockey” he said. “We got off our game in the second period and we were punished for it. Finding consistency in our game will be key if we want to string some wins together. We played a good opening period and had a good third.”
The Rockies now turn their focus back home as they continue their push toward the final playoff spot. Their next home game is Saturday, January 10, when they host the Osoyoos Coyotes. Fans are encouraged to come out, bring the noise and help drive the Rockies down the stretch.
