The Mountain View Colts got their 2024-2025 Heritage Junior Hockey League campaign underway on Friday night at the Didsbury Memorial Complex.
The blue and red took to the corral ice for the first time this season, to do battle with the Agri Risk Wheatland Kings.
A big crowd was on hand to cheer on the Colts, with a special player introduction ceremony and captain announcement prior to the game.
Haiden Parks skated out in front of the home fans with a freshly stitched “C” on his familiar #21 jersey.
Parks takes over the captaincy from former team mate Paton Rothenbusch, who wore the “C” for 2 full years prior.
Jordan McGinnis would get the start for Mountain View to kick off his 21 year old season in the HJHL, while Derrick Ford would make his first career start for the Kings.
The game was scoreless right up until the 6:56 mark of the 2nd period, when rookie Kobe Gosling turned and fired a shot on goal that would beat McGinnis and give Wheatland a 1-0 lead.
Adam Moore scored his first in the HJHL at the 17:03 mark of the 3rd and despite multiple powerplay opportunities, including a full 5 on 3, the Colts would be unable to answer back.
Mountain View would finish 0/6 on the powerplay, while Wheatland was 0/7.
Ford turned aside all 26 Mountain View shots, earning his first win and his first career shutout in the effort.
McGinnis would turn aside 26/28 shots on goal.
Post game, assistant coach Ryan Doig was complimentary of his goalie’s efforts.
Freshly minted captain, Haiden Parks, also got behind the microphone post game.
Parks talks about some of his idols as leaders.
Simon Leischner is another veteran back with the Colts this season, he joined CKFM prior to tonight’s game.
Mountain View will have the chance to bounce back tomorrow night when they travel to Rocky for a 2024 first round rematch with the Rams.
The next Mountain View Colts broadcast on 96.5 CKFM will come on September 27th, when the Cochrane Generals travel to Didsbury.