Novice Chinooks win one and lose one

Novice Chinooks vs Lethbridge Coyotes
C. Davis photos and video

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice 

Pincher Creek's Novice 'B' Chinooks hosted the Lethbridge 1 'A' Coyotes on Saturday morning, January 5. The Coyotes won that game by a score of 11-2. On Sunday, January 6 the Chinooks played an away game against Warner, another 'B' team, and emerged victorious with a score of 9-7.

Saturday's home game saw the Chinooks up against a more experienced Coyotes squad. Despite being behind almost from the start the Chinooks showed no sign of giving up the whole game. They truly gave it 100%, making for a good game to watch and speaking volumes about their pluck and determination. Particularly evident was the amount of growth they showed in basic skills like skating, puck handling, awareness, and teamwork.

This team has grown by leaps and bounds in a very short time. Goalie Koltyn Kipling put up a solid effort while taking a lot of shots. Both offensively and defensively the team is starting to know their roles. While the Coyotes dominated the first half of the game, by midway through the Chinooks really pulled it together. In the third period they matched the Coyotes with two goals apiece. Both Chinooks' goals were in the third period, the first by Cory Dyck assisted by Riley Potts and the second an unassisted goal by Potts. Ty Obara of the Coyotes had a great game, scoring 4 times.

Cory Dyck shoots and scores

The Novice Chinooks have had 6 wins and 4 losses so far this season and are in 4th place in the Spud League standings out of 12 teams total, just behind the Lethbridge 1 'A' Coyotes in fact, and are currently the top-ranked 'B' team.

Next up for the Novice Chinooks is an away game against Picture Butte, another 'B' team, on Sunday, January 13 starting at 9:20 am at the Picture Butte arena.

Corrected January 7: Koltyn Kipling was minding the net for the Chinooks.