Craig Daily Press

Craig — The Moffat County Bulldog Hockey Club isn’t the only competitive male hockey team in town.

The Craig Red Dogs can play, too.

The Yampa Valley Invite, a 10-team hockey tournament comprised of players ranging in age from 18 to 55 years old, came to a conclusion Sunday.

The host Red Dogs placed fourth, losing its third-place game to Laramie, Wyo., 2-1.

Craig started the tournament strong, winning Friday night’s game against the Steamboat Mad Dogs, 5-4, on a last-second goal.

On Saturday morning, the Red Dogs dispatched Grand Junction, 4-2, then tied Denver No. 2, 1-1, in the afternoon.

A 6-4 loss to eventual tournament runner up Rock Springs placed Craig in the third-place game with a record of 2-1-1.

On Sunday, Laramie jumped on Red Dog goalie Spencer Wayman early, scoring twice in the game’s first three minutes.

“They came out firing,” team manager and winger Jim Neal said. “Spencer settled in after that and shut them out from there.”

The Red Dogs fought back, out-shooting the Firebirds 18-1 in the third period but still found themselves trailing by two with less than a minute left in regulation.

Coach Jim Neton pulled Wayman, giving Craig the extra attacker.

The move worked.

Scott Smith tipped a shot past the stingy Firebird net minder, pulling the Red Dogs within one with 40 seconds remaining.

The Red Dogs kept attacking, but eventually the clock ran out on the game, and the tournament.

Craig went down in a flurry of shots, something Neal said he was proud of.

“I would have loved to win,” he said, “but, we fought hard. We definitely gave it our all.”

In the championship game, Denver No. 1 defeated Rock Springs, 7-5, in an overtime shootout.

Neton’s goal heading into Friday’s opener was to simply make it to the championship round Sunday.

Score one for the gipper.

“It was a great tournament,” he said. “Every year we aim to play on Sunday and give ourselves a chance. We did that. We played hard and had a fun time. What more could you ask for?”

John Vandelinder can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 211, or jvandelinder@craigdailypress.com