AA Bantam Rockies and Red Deer play to 4-4 tie

Red Deer faces off against Rockies
T. Lucas photo

Toni Lucas and Lloyd Lybbert, Pincher/Crowsnest Voice

The AA Bantam Southwest Rockies faced off against the Red Deer Ramada at Pincher Creek's Memorial Community Centre Arena on September 28 for a regular season South Central Alberta Hockey League game.  "The Double A's Bantams have been in the Pass.  They weren't in league last year, but they've been around for a while," explained Rockies Coach Steve Rutledge. "It's a combination of kids from Fort Macleod, Crowsnest Pass, Lethbridge, Pincher Creek, Kainai, Cardston, and we have a boy from Chestemere too."

Those in attendance were treated to 3 periods of hard-played hockey.

Red Deer's #20 Brendan Laing scored the first goal of the game, assisted by Hunter Leslie 1:02 into the first period.  Rockies' #12 Jason Creighton tied it up 1-1 a minute later, assisted by Payton Tailfeathers.  A minute after that the Rockies pulled ahead 2-1 after an unassisted goal by #21 Fort Macleod's Michael McTighe.  Red Deer's #8 Ty Herle scored at 5:42 in the period, assisted by Nathan Dyck. A lot of back and forth action ensued for the rest of the period, but the score remained unchanged 3-2 for the Rockies at the buzzer.

Red Deer's Austin McLeod makes a great save
Lloyd Lybbert photo

Red Deer tied it up 3-3 in 6:06 into the second period when #17 Brady Berger scored an unassisted goal. Lots of back and forth again, some solid goaltending, but no change on the scoreboard for the rest of the period.

T. Lucas photo

Tempers got a little heated in the third period, not exactly unheard of in hockey... silly penalties on both sides.  A nasty accident stopped the game for a while as a Red Deer player was tended to. At 1:15 into the period Red Deer's Brady Berger scored his second of the game and Hunter Leslie got his second assist, putting Red Deer ahead 4-3.  That's where it stood for a long time, despite an increase in pressure from both sides.  At 17:42 #20 Jordan McAuley of the Rockies made a crucial goal, assisted by Jordy Welsch and Jason Creighton, tying it 4-4, which is where it stood at the final buzzer.

Rockies bench
T. Lucas photo

The AA Bantam Rockies have a coaching staff composed of Steve Rutledge, Rory Snyder, Cole Rutledge, and Taylor Elliot.  Players are in the 13-14 year old age group.  Prior to this game they lost an exhibition game against Nanton 3-0.  The team gives athletes a chance to participate at a higher level.

"They want to play hockey, so they make the commitment to come," said Coach Steve Rutledge.  "The team practices in Crowsnest Pass, Pincher Creek, and may start to practice in Fort Macleod."

"The coaches face not only a new group, but ones that have faced each other before as rivals having to learn to integrate into one team," Rutledge explained.  "It takes a while for a team to gel, but they are coming along fine, they are getting used to each other, and they are becoming good friends."

T. Lucas photo

"This is our first home opener.  It was a good game on both sides, good play, good competition."  Rutledge said that he would like to see more teamwork happening within the Rockies more consistently.

"The kids stepped up and played.  As a team, they have improved since our exhibition game and they can all just get better.  They are bonding, and we hope for a good season."

Upcoming games:

The Rockies have an away game scheduled against Lethbridge's Headwater Hurricanes on October 4, followed the next day by another away game against Taber's Golden Suns.

Their next scheduled home game is on November 3 at the Crowsnest Sports Complex arena in Coleman against the Foothills Alberta Marine Bisons, game to start at noon.

They have another home game scheduled at their other home rink, Pincher Creek's MCC arena, on November 16 against the Badlands Longhorns, starting at 5:00 pm.

Related links:  South Central Alberta Hockey League website
Southwestern Rockies Athletic Association