The Kimberley Dynamiters level the series 2-2, with a 2-1 OT victory

Photo by Jonathan Righton

Over 1,000 fans (including Fernie fans) piled into the Kimberley Civic Centre to watch the Kimberley Dynamiters host the Fernie Ghostriders in game four of the Eddie Mountain division finals.

Game Notes

• Tyson Brouwer returned from injury to square off against Jeff Orser
• The Dynamiters dressed 6D, but cycled through five. Dagostin, typically a D, was used as an agitator on the forecheck. Marchi & Saretsky were used as D or a 4th forward on the PP.
• Injuries/Scratches: Mallard, Campanella, Roy, Pagura

1st

Fernie was quick to take the wind out of the Kimberley fans sails. Scoring on their first shot 32 seconds into the game. Kimberley than sealed their defensive zone, only allowing four more shots for the period. Kimberley engaged in a possession game, and as a result fired 14 shots on Orser this period. One of those shots, was a Buckley breakaway right after he was dismissed from the penalty box. He was able to keep away from the backchecking d-man and fired it in. There was one scary moment when van Steinburg blocked a shot, but it deflected up in his face. He immediately grabbed his mouth and skated off. I was afraid that he lost a tooth. He did return later in the period. The period ended with a 1-1 draw.

2nd

With so many in the arena, it was almost like musical chairs during the intermission, and there was no guarantee that you'd have your spot at the start of the 2nd. - We sure didn't. This period did not have any scoring, but there were incredible saves on both sides of the rink. The hitting was heavy. What was great about the game was the discipline, neither team wanted to give the other an edge. Fernie did get a couple of PP chances, and directed a lot of shots at net. Fernie led in shots 15-10, but the game stayed locked at one-apiece.

3rd

The intensity increased. Every millimeter of the ice was being contested for. Even though the shots were close this period, Kimberley maintained control in Fernie's end for lengthy periods. Kimberley's best chance was a 5-on-3 for 1:42. Kimberley kept possession and waited for good opportunities (too perfect for some fans who wanted the Nitro's to just wire the puck at the net). Fernie held on. Marchi had a stick get up high on him and wrap around his neck, but the whistle was firmly away. Because as each minute ticked down after the 10 minute mark, the game began to feel more and more like OT. Which was where we were headed.

OT

The 10 minute period lasted for 2:17. And I think Saretsky was on the ice for that entire time, doing one of his "Wayne Gretzky" shifts. Saretsky carried the puck in but lost control and then regained it behind the net. The puck got in front, and during an organized scramble play, Saretsky kept poking at the puck relentlessly until it squeezed in between pad and post. The arena ERUPTED!

The series shifts to Fernie tonight to start a best of three series.

Dynamite Player of the Game

Braden Saretsky - The OT Hero. KIJHL Player of the Game, and presently the KI Hot Player.

Honorable Mentions

Eric Buckley - Scored the tying goal.

Tyson Brouwer - 26 save performance. (He's an incredible 6-1, 0.88 GAA, and .963 SV%)

Jason Richter - In OT he delivered the hit of the game, stopping the Fernie player right in his tracks.

Further Readings

Boxscore

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