The Golden Rockets fought hard to nab a 2-1 victory in against the Creston Valley Thunder Cats on Oct. 26.
Both teams came to play and combined for 32 shots in the first period. Goalies, James Leonard for the Rockets and Michael Hails for the Cats, made numerous big saves to keep the score at 0-0 moving into the second.
Halfway into the second period the Cats got themselves into penalty trouble. After Andrew Hodder took a roughing penalty the Cats got hit for too many men on the ice and the Rockets did not waste the five on three opportunity. Keith Wake scored the first goal of the night, and seventh of the season, with 7:25 left in the second. Before the end of the second hometown Rocket Daniel Dahlin popped in his second goal of the season to set the Rockets up 2-0 heading into the final period.
Play slowed down in the third period with the Rockets attempting to hold on to the two goal advantage. The Cats netted their only goal of the evening on a great individual effort by Jesse Collins who went top shelf with over 15 minutes left in the game. The Cats pulled their goalie with 1:35 left in the third but could not get the tying goal as the Rockets toughed out the final few seconds of the period.
Rockets head coach Ty Davidson said the game was a hard fought win.
“I thought they outplayed us a little in the first period but the difference was James Leonard who was awesome in net. In the second period we really outplayed them. We were in their end for most of the second period and as a result we got two goals and hung on for the win. Overall I am really happy with the boys.”
