Well, whatever happens for the rest of the 1986,n Junior "B" hockey season in the KIJHL the
fans of the Rossland and Trail area sure had quite
a series watching their two favorites put oo quite a
show in their seven game series. I know for a fact I
have never watched a series where the outcome
was definitely in doubt until the final whistle
sounded.
Another thing about it was it wasn't one of
those cases where you heard the old complaint,
''we wuz robbed!" Sure if you sat down and talked
to some people - maybe a little more critical of
the officiating - you'd hear various opinions. But
on the whole I thought the handling of this series definitely a really tough one to call - was very
well done.
As for the Saturday night game I had Cllly one
feeling as I headed home afterward. H anyone
deserved stars in those final two important games,
it was admiration for the work of the two
goaltenders. Stars go a lot of the time to the offensive players but this was one where, if I was
asked to pick them, those kids on the last line of ,
defence would have been the ones.
Sure, there were some fine offensive and
defensive plays oo both sides but those two little
guys, who are the final target, did what could
easily be tenned a "helluva job" in keeping their
nets clear of rubber for most of the 80 minutes.
To our Rossland kids, you did a fine job to win
over Trail. In a tough series like this the breaks
sometimes tip the scales and maybe Lady Luck did
have something to do with it but one of you had
possible a tougher series ahead and she'll probably
have something to do with the outcome of that one.
I only hope that the Warriors play as well as
we know they can and where the chips will fall is
anybody's guess right now.
The Rebels are coming into this one with lots of
rest. I wonder if it's going to carry them on to the
top in this division or will Rossland's will to win
carry them on this one too. Only time will give us
the answer there.
The KIJHL has been quite a spot for the power
teams of the league this season. In our division
Castlegar has had it quite a bit their own way.
They started strong and with Beaver Valley having
troubles, Trail starting slow and playing their best
hockey in the playoffs, and Rossland playing well
throughout the season the west was alright.
Over in the East, Spokane was riding
roughshod over everything, and only Cranbrook
gave them any trouble. The Rockies, rebuilding
and the Knights, shorthanded all season gave Cllly
token resistance.
But as I said before, it all depends on what
Rossland can come up with in the west finals. The
winner will face quite a task against the eastern
champ, whoever it is.
Like the Brier and most of the big-time curling,
the Rossland Retirees are just about over with
their final competitions. Angus tells me that they
will wind up with a short points compe'1tion to fill
in the last few days. Two or three rinks are still in
the running to win this final competition so we shall
have to wait another week or two fer final standings. It has been a good season all round.
Monday, four teams journeyed to Grand Forks
to finish their committment to villlations fer this
year. Didn't fare too well with one win and a tie
between the four rinks. Those Grand Forks chaps
have their rocks trained I think and their ice
conditions sure suit them. Our boys said that
despite the results, Grand Forks are still excellent

hosts.

And now it's time to say,
'tilnexUime. then!,_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____._.