The KLP Construction Bantam A Tyees played a familiar foe on Saturday, the Comox Valley Chiefs, although this would mark the first meeting of the season between these two long time rivals.
The Chiefs were still looking for their first win in Division 1 play, and the Tyees were trying to back to their winning ways after a tough weekend at home.
The Comox Valley Sports Center is known for its large ice surface and hard, fast ice. The Tyees were hoping these factors would favour the fast and skilled squad from the north.
The Tyees seemed to enjoy the extra time and space that the ice surface provided, as they dominated the first period. They moved the puck at will, spreading out the Chiefs defenders and creating numerous chances.
Damain Rennie would open the scoring for the boys in black, as he picked off an errant pass at his own blueline and found himself alone with the Chief goalie. With one quick fake the goalie was down and the puck was in the net.
The Tyees would carry that one goal lead into the second period.
Momentum is a very mysterious and elusive mistress, one that can stay for long periods of time and then vanish like a ghost.
This was the case in the second half, as all the energy and good work the Tyees were trying to build on, just vanished.
The hometown Chiefs found their skating legs and pinned the Tyees in their own end for long periods of time. Tyees starting goalie, Matt Johnson, was called into action, as he turned aside shot after shot from the attacking Chiefs. The home team was able to tie the game early in the third on a perfect cross-crease setup.
This goal energized the Chiefs – it was as though they could smell the blood in the water. The pressure proved to be too much as the home squad took the lead late in the period to secure a 2-1 victory.
The Tyees don’t have much time to lick their wounds as they travel to Trail, for a the annual Trail Tier-2 Bantam tournament this weekend.