Monday 31 October 2016

KIJHL Clutch Scorers: October 2016

End of the month means it is time for another KIJHL top clutch scorers.

Two new columns have been added to this months rankings:
  • LM - the total from the previous months ratings
  • DIFF - the difference from last months ratings to this months (this helps measure the most improved clutch scorer)
Osoyoos Coyotes dominate the list, with three players in the Top 5 and four in the Top 6.

New and considered most improved are:
  1. Carter Shannon, Osoyoos Coyotes - he did not rank last month
  2. Dylan Heppler, Beaver Valley Nitehawks - he did not rank last month
Amongst players who ranked last month and are the most improved are:
  1. Brody Dale, Kelowna Chiefs
  2. Colin Bell, Osoyoos Coyotes
Both improved by 13 clutch scoring points this month.

Also, I like to acknowledge the younger players on this list, those born in '99:
  • Brody Dale, Kelowna Chiefs
  • Dean Whitcomb, North Okanagan Knights
  • Garrett Ewert, Kamloops Storm
  • Korbyn Chabot, Kimberley Dynamiters
Here is the full list, click on image to enlarge:



The Kimberley Dynamiters goalie’s squeeze out two wins


After two consecutive weekends of copious scoring and massive leads, the Dynamiters squeaked out two one-goal wins this past weekend against the Nelson Leafs and Columbia Valley Rockies.

In the previous four games, there was an average of 9.5 goals contained in each game, 7.25 of those were Dynamiter goals. This past weekend, eight goals were scored during the two games.

“We weren’t moving our feet on the weekend.” Said Dynamiters general manager and head coach Derek Stuart. “If we played like that in the previous four games the outcomes would have been much tighter then they were.

“We definitely did not play good on the weekend.

“We were opportunistic on our goals. We were not generating too many chances.

“We were lucky to pull out four points.”

On Friday at the Civic Centre, the Leafs opened the scoring with a lucky miscue by the Dynamiters. But it wasn’t until the third period where the Nitro’s finally took control of the game, backstopped by keeper Mitch Traichevich.

“Mitch was great, after [the first period] miscue he was excellent.”

Traichevich made 33 saves to keep his team in the game and to eventually earn the win over the Nelson Leafs. Matt Davies scored the game winning goal with just over six minutes left in the third.

On Saturday in Invermere, the Rockies took an early 1-0 lead. Again, the Nitro’s didn’t erupt until the third period forcing overtime, with Chase Miller eventually scoring the overtime winner. Goalie Cody Campbell kept the team competitive and in the game.

“Cody made real big and key saves that could have blown the game open.”

 Campbell made 23 saves to keep the Dynamiters within range to eventually pull out the win in over time.

“Our third periods were our best periods this weekend. With that being said, without our goalies, the games would have been out of reach.”

Even though the Dynamiters got the two wins to earn their fifth and sixth wins in a row, Stuart was not pleased.

“In my opinion those were bad wins. I know people say a win is a win, I don’t agree with that. We can’t keep playing like that or we will lose a lot of hockey.”

“If it wasn’t for our goaltenders in both games, we would have lost both of them. They kept us in it.”

With the two wins, and the Creston Valley Thunder Cats finally losing in regulation, the Dynamiters sit tied for first in the division and the league with the Thunder Cats. However, the Dynamiters have the slight edge having earned one more win in the same amount of games as Creston.

“One of our goals is to win our division and secure home ice in the first two rounds. It’s nice right now, but it doesn’t do anything for us in the long run.

“It’s nice to be sitting in first as November rolls around, but we want to be in first at the end of the season in February.

“We have a lot of work to do to fix what happened on the weekend to make sure we don’t play like that again.”

The Dynamiters don’t play a home game until November 15 as they head on another two-weekend road trip.

MATCH STICKS: Nicholas Ketola is suspended for one game after receiving a game misconduct in the last 10 minutes against Columbia Valley. Drew Van den Bosch, Bryce Salverda and Connor Kendall remain sidelined with injuries.

Photo's by Jonathan Righton

Check it out in the Kimberley Bulletin/Cranbrook Townsman


Saturday 29 October 2016

It's Game Day! Kimberley Dynamiters vs Columbia Valley Rockies


Kimberley DynamitersvsColumbia Valley Rockies
12-2-0-0Record4-8-0-2
24Points10
1stDivision Standing4th
3rd (4.64)Offence (GFA)18th (2.29)
3rd (2.14)Defence (GAA)18th (4.64)
0.942Goaltending (SV%)0.892
9th (19.12%)Power Play20th (2.86%)
2nd (88.41%)Penalty Kill20th (75.69%)
3rdPower Ranking19th
W5StreakW1
9-1-0-0Last 103-5-0-2
Korbyn Chabot (11G-8A)Top ScorerColby Sherlock (4G-4A)
 Franco Colapaolo (8G-8A)2nd Top ScorerNicholas Wihak (3G-4A)
Chase Miller (4G-10A)3rd Top ScorerRyan Skytt (3G-4A)
Ryan Hozjan (38)PIM LeaderDavin Burton (50)

Friday 28 October 2016

It's Game Day! Kimberley Dynamiters vs Nelson Leafs


Kimberley DynamitersvsNelson Leafs
11-2-0-0Record8-5-0-1
22Points17
2ndDivision Standing2nd
2nd (4.85)Offence (GFA)12th (2.87)
3rd (2.23)Defence (GAA)12th (3.36)
0.938Goaltending (SV%)0.898
7th (20.00%)Power Play17th (10.39%)
2nd (87.88%)Penalty Kill6th (85.71%)
3rdPower Ranking15th
W4StreakW1
9-1-0-0Last 106-3-0-1
Korbyn Chabot (10G-8A)Top ScorerDale Howell (10G-8A)
 Franco Colapaolo (8G-8A)2nd Top ScorerSawyer Hunt (5G-12A)
Chase Miller (4G-10A)3rd Top ScorerSamuel Weber (5G-7A)
Ryan Hozjan (36)PIM LeaderBrent Headon (42)

Thursday 27 October 2016

Kimberley Dynamiters will take weekend games one game at a time

The Kimberley Dynamiters enter the weekend as one of the hottest teams in the KIJHL, going 9-1 in their past ten, and outscoring opponents 29 to nine in their past four.

The Dynamiters host the Neslon Leafs today before heading up the Columbia Valley to Invermere to play the Rockies.

It will be the first time this season that the Dynamiters see the Leafs (8-5-0-1). Nelson has won four of their last five. Their offense is led by Dale Howell, 10 goals and eight assists, and by Sawyer Hunt, five goals and 12 assists. Hunt will be a familiar name to Nitro’s fans, as he was a part of the 2015 Dynamiters Championship team, and was a key member of the team when the Nitro’s returned to the KIJHL finals last year.

The last time the Dynamiters were on a winning streak and faced the Columbia Valley Rockies (3-8-0-2), it didn’t go over well for the Nitro’s. Rockies goaltender Connor McKay put on a clinic turning aside 48 of 50 shots, en-route to a 3-2 victory. That was the last game the Rockies won before going winless in their last four games.

Dynamiters Head Coach and General Manager, Derek Staurt, is taking this weekend one game at a time, “right now our focus is 100% on Nelson until Saturday morning.”

Having outscored their last four opponents by at least four goals, the mantra from last season “not too high, not too low” may be of upmost importance this weekend.

The Dynamiters host the Leafs today at the Civic Centre with opening faceoff at 7pm. Then Saturday in Invermere puck drop is 7:30pm.

MATCH STICKS: Caige Sterzer and Drew Van den Bosch are serving a two game suspension and are eligible to play October 29.

Sunday 23 October 2016

Kimberley Dynamiters continue their winning ways

The Kimberley Dynamiters continued their hot streak, winning their third and fourth games in a row as they bounced both the Grand Forks Border Bruins and the Spokane Braves from the Kimberley Civic Centre.

Up first was the Border Bruins. The Dynamiters exploded from the drop of the first puck, scoring four goals in the first period alone.

“That was probably the best start we have had to a game this season,” said Dynamiters head coach and general manager Derek Stuart. However, he cautioned: “It’s real tough whether you are a professional or a junior aged player to keep your mind on the task at hand when you are up 4-0 that early. They start thinking that it is point night, and don’t do what they are supposed to do.”

The Dynamiters kept pressing scoring an additional three goals in the middle frame to give them a 7-0 lead over the Border Bruins heading into the third.

It was in the third where the Border Bruins got under the skin of the Dynamiters.

“It’s hard staying focused in a game where you get up early and are playing the dirtiest team in our conference.”

A whopping 117 minutes’ worth of penalties were called at the 13:52 minute mark of the third.

The Bruins did score a power-play goal, but the Nitro’s responded quickly. Then the Border Bruins scored another two quick goals within ten seconds, before the Nitro’s responded in the last minute.

The Dynamiters finished the game with a 9-3 blowout win over the Border Bruins.

James Rota, the 17-year-old local talent and home star of the game said “We started out really strong. We were on them right away. Near the end we let up a bit. But we finished strong with a goal at the end.” Rota earned one goal, his first of the season, and the eventual game winner, plus he added three assists on the night.

“It was awesome, it was my first of the year.” Rota said. “I’m pretty happy to finally get one. I was just excited to get one. Being the game winning goal, that’s always nice bonus.”

Stuart said of Rota: “He had a great game. He was definitely one of our most valuable players tonight. His whole line was our best line, Hozjan and Colapaolo.”

Cody Lassiter, the new addition from Bassano, AB, played his first game as a Dynamiter. “He did very well. For him to step in like that and be that calm with the puck and make that many good decisions with the puck. He was very impressive.”

Dawson Creek, BC, native, Mitch Traichevich, made 29 saves for his sixth win of the season.


The Dynamiters then focused their attention on battling the visiting Spokane Braves.

The Dynamiters came out with a flash early again, scoring within the first minute.

“I thought we started out great in the first 5-6 minutes.” Stuart said. “I believe in the first four minutes we had nine shots on net, and ended the period with 13. It went down hill from there.”

“We were pretty lackluster. Lazy with the puck. Lazy getting to loose pucks.

“I don’t know if our heads are getting a little too big or that early goal put thoughts in guys’ heads that this was going to be an easy night. They should know that nothing comes easy against Spokane, because I think they are better than their record shows.”

Chase Miller, an 18-year-old from Calgary, AB, said: “We had a lot of turnovers in our own end, and we were just trying to be pretty with the puck instead of just getting deep and grinding it out in their end.”

The Braves were always within striking distance as they continually made plays out of nothing.

“I thought we let them hang around for far too long,” Stuart said, “and gave them a chance to be in this game, and gave them hope.”

It wasn’t until the midway of the third that the Dynamiters started to pull away to earn their fourth win in a row with a 6-2 victory.

“The book ends were good. The middle was not good.”

“Hopefully it is a wakeup call for us, even though it was a win. I don’t think we were very good tonight.”

Cody Campbell from Calgary, AB, started his first game as a Dynamiter and earned his first win the KIJHL with a 21 save performance.

“Campbell was good. I thought he was very composed and he made a couple big saves. His first game with a new team in a new league he did very well.”

Franco Colapaolo, also from Calgary, AB, continues to be a hard-working force for the Dynamiters as he scored two of the three third period goals.

“Colapaolo is definitely a leader, he wears a letter for a reason. With some help from his line mates he took over the third period and willed those pucks into the net. He used his speed and went to the net with his stick on the ice. Simple things that every player can do.”

Chase Miller was the start of the game as he distributed the puck well earning three assists in front of family for the Dynamiters Family weekend game.

“I had lots of family here. It was awesome having them all out here.

“It was a good night. I was working the puck well.

“It wasn’t our prettiest game, but got the win and that’s what matters at the end of the night”

Looking back on the current four game winning streak, the Dynamiters have now scored 29 goals, while being scored on nine times.

“Last four, the results look great.” Stuart said.

“The nine against is a huge sign of how we have been playing the defensive zone. If we can keep that up, we can get a lot of wins. Especially in a league like this where it is tough to score goals.”

Despite winning nine of their past ten, Stuart says, “Now we put it behind us and look forward to Nelson Friday.”

Photo's by Jonathan Righton

Check it out in the Kimberley Bulletin/Cranbrook Townsman


Saturday 22 October 2016

It's Game Day! Kimberley Dynamiters vs Spokane Braves


Kimberley DynamitersvsSpokane Braves
10-2-0-0Record4-11-0-0
20Points8
2ndDivision Standing5th
3rd (4.75)Offence (GFA)14th (2.87)
3rd (2.25)Defence (GAA)18th (5.07)
0.921Goaltending (SV%)0.897
7th (20.63%)Power PlayT-12th (15.38%)
3rd (88.71%)Penalty Kill13th (79.79%)
3rdPower Ranking16th
W3StreakL5
9-1-0-0Last 103-7-0-0
Korbyn Chabot (10G-8A)Top ScorerPaxton Malone (9G-14A)
 James Farmer (3G-11A)2nd Top ScorerMason Jones (6G-17A)
Franco Colapaolo (6G-7A)3rd Top ScorerCarter Jones (7G-9A)
Ryan Hozjan (36)PIM LeaderMason Jones (45)

Friday 21 October 2016

It's Game Day! Kimberley Dynamiters vs Grand Forks Border Bruins


Kimberley DynamitersvsGrand Forks Border Bruins
9-2-0-0Record5-4-2-1
18Points13
2ndDivision Standing3rd
4th (4.36)Offence (GFA)3rd (4.42)
3rd (2.18)Defence (GAA)15th (3.67)
0.946Goaltending (SV%)0.901
7th (21.31%)Power Play4th (22.62%)
3rd (88.68%)Penalty Kill7th (84.52%)
3rdPower Ranking7th
W2StreakL3
9-1-0-0Last 105-3-1-1
Korbyn Chabot (8G-8A)Top ScorerDylan Haney (8G-11A)
James Farmer (2G-10A)2nd Top ScorerTrey Mason (9G-10A)
 Franco Colapaolo (5G-6A)3rd Top ScorerChad Grambo (7G-10A)
Ryan Hozjan (34)PIM LeaderBrady Berger; Dylan Haney (54)

Thursday 20 October 2016

Nitro’s add two players as they prepare for the weekend rematches

After back-to-back 7-2 wins this past weekend in Spokane and Grand Forks, the Kimberley Dynamiters have a rematch against the Braves and Border Bruins in their own barn as they come to town.

“We know that they will come in here hungry.” Said head coach and general manager Derek Stuart. “Especially since both teams lost games last weekend.”

The Grand Forks Border Bruins (5-4-2-1) come to Kimberley on a three game losing streak. However, they still boast two of the KIJHL’s leading scorers in Trey Mason and Dylan Haney.

The Spokane Braves (4-10-0-0) enter the weekend losing their past four in a row. They too have an offensive punch with their top two scorers, Paxton Malone and Mason Jones, leading the league in points.

“We know a little bit more about them after seeing them first hand.” Says Stuart “There are a few things we may work on in practice. Most of our practice will be touching up things that we need to improve and focus mainly on ourselves.”

The Dynamiters are winners of their past two, and nine of their last ten, and enter the weekend as one of the hottest teams in the league.

Stuart credits the teams’ success to its depth, “With the depth we have, everyone is getting a fair chunk of ice time. Everyone is relishing in their roles and finding ways to contribute, or an opportunity to contribute every game.

“We are going with the guys each individual game that are producing or playing the way we want them to that game. The guys really appreciate that, and they are relishing the opportunity that they have every game.”

However, he feels there is one area of improvement: “We need to improve our puck management in the offensive zone. We need to hold onto pucks a bit longer and protect them until we have a play; really focusing on moving the puck in the offensive zone when we want to instead of being forced to.”

Prior to this weekend’s games, Stuart shuffled the roster up a bit. “We viewed it as an opportunity to improve our team, any chance we have to improve ourselves, we are going to do it.”

The Dynamiters added goaltender Cody Campbell (’98). The Calgary native started the season as back up for the Canmore Eagles (AJHL).

“He is very mobile and athletic. Has some good size. He has some experience as well; he took his Midget AAA team all the way to the Telus Cup two years ago. In any situation he won’t panic.”

Campbell played last season with the Grand Prairie Storm Midget AAA. In 19 games he posted a .905 save percentage. He also dressed one game with the AJHL Grand Prairie Storm.

To make room for Campbell on the roster, the Nitro’s sent goaltender Ruslan Katsnelson (’97) to the Golden Rockets.

Then the Dynamiters added another Cody to the roster, defenseman Cody Lassiter (’96), acquiring him from the Princeton Posse.

“The trade with Lassiter, a 20 year old defenceman, addresses a hole that we felt we had as a team and that we would like to add and the opportunity arose.”

Lassiter, from Bassano, Alberta, was serving as captain for the Posse, he brings leadership and experience to the team.

“He’s a bigger defenceman. He’s not flashy but he is very mobile, reliable, and smart with the puck.

“He is in his third year with the league, so he knows the league, and how to play the game. He will add to our top four defence.”

The roster moves, Stuart feels, “It improves our overall depth and experience. It makes us harder to play against.”

The Dynamiters host the Border Bruins Friday at the Civic Centre at 7p.m., followed by the Braves on Saturday at 7p.m.

MATCH STICKS: The Dynamiters currently carry a full roster of 25. However, 23 are playable as Bryce Salverda and Connor Kendall remain sidelined to injury.

Check it out in the Kimberley Bulletin/Cranbrook Townsman


Wednesday 19 October 2016

KIJHL Goaltender Rankings - October 2016

Last season a popular post was ranking the KIJHL goalies. It's early in the season, and some teams are still trying to identify their #1 goalie as the trickle down effect continues.

I can't rank every goalie that has played a single game because that would skew the numbers (too small a sample size to reflect performance), so to be included in this list a goalie needs to have played 1/3 of the season. The average KIJHL team has played 11.6 games to this date. That means a goalie needs to have appeared in four games or more to be included in this list.

This means that the following goalies who have won 100% of their games but played three or less games did not make the list:
  • Liam Aitken - Osoyoos Coyotes
  • Patrick Ostermann - Creston Valley Thunder Cats
  • Jared Breitkruz - Summerland Steam
  • Devin Allen - Nelson Leafs
As the season wears on, the 1/3 of the games will be the bench mark until 1/3 = 10 games.

Just a break down of the stats analyzed:
  • Win percentage
  • Goals against average
  • Save percentage
  • TOTAL = the sum of the ranked categories. Top 20 goalies are ranked in each category, the goalie who is ranked 1st gets 20 points, while the goalie ranked 20th gets 1 point.
Finally, here are the Top KIJHL goaltenders through to today (click on image to make larger):


Tuesday 18 October 2016

KIJHL Power Rankings - October 18, 2016

It's that time for another Power Ranking of the KIJHL teams.

Disclaimer: The stats analysis is only as good as the stats being kept (which I realize are volunteers and I appreciate all they do)

There has been a lot of movement since last month. There are two new columns this month:
  • LM Total - this is the Power Rankings Total score from the month previous
  • Diff - is the positive or negative difference since the last ranking.
Observations:
  • The Creston Valley Thunder Cats maintain their top position, but they are no longer first in every category, so the Osoyoos Coyotes were able to catch them and both are tied for first.
  • The Hottest teams (those with the largest difference increase) is the Fernie Ghostriders, then the Beaver Valley Nitehawks, and then the North Okanagan Knights with the Kimberley Dynamiters hot on their heals
  • Coldest teams (those with the greatest loss in points) are the Castlegar Rebels, Spokane Braves, and then Revelstoke Grizzlies with the Grand Forks Border Bruins just ahead of them.
  • The Sicamous Eagles, who have yet to win a game, maintain the last spot.


Monday 17 October 2016

Kimberley Dynamiters dominant during weekend road trip

The Kimberley Dynamiters played another weekend on the road, this time visiting two offensively talented teams, the Spokane Braves and the Grand Forks Border Bruins.

Head coach and general manager Derek Stuart felt that there was excitement about crossing the border into the United States, and that the short stop at the border allowed them to be prepared for the Spokane Braves.

“We started out really well, I think that was a big boost to our guys.”

The Dynamiters took a quick 2-0 lead with goals from Ryan Hozjan and Korbyn Chabot. But the pesky Braves wouldn’t go away as they tied the game by the midway point of the second.

“Give credit Spokane,” Stuart said “they worked hard and they competed hard.”

Then after that, the Nitro’s turned it on scoring five goals in the remaining 30 minutes of the game.

“The guys overpowered Spokane as a team as the game wore on. They took over the game halfway through the second period.

“I think in the end our depth and our speed was just too much.”

What helped launch the Dynamiters past the Braves was their power play.

“Our power play was really great in Spokane. We were moving the puck well.

“We were not just standing around watching, but moving around without the puck, which was a big key as well.”

Chabot gave the Dynamiters a 3-2 lead. Then Tyler Van Steinburg scored his first of the season to give the Nitro’s a 4-2 lead after two.

The Dynamiters kept pushing as Caige Sterzer, and Franco Colapaolo (twice) scored in the third giving the Dynamiters a 7-2 win.

Cranbrook native Chabot finished the game with three points; two goals and an assist.

“Chabot was a physical force as usual. When he get’s a chance to let his shot go or drive the net with his size and force, it creates opportunities to score.”

Colapaolo from Calgary notched two goals as he continues to lead by example.

“Everything Colapaolo gets points wise is a result of his hard work. We expected a really good game from him, and we got that. He got rewarded again from working hard.”

By the end of the night, Stuart was pleased with the defensive effort of his team. “For us to hold them to two goals with such a high scoring first line and a really good power play. We did a really good job defensively against their top line.”

The Dynamiters then had to cross the border back into Canada after spending the night in Spokane to face-off against the Grand Forks Border Bruins.

The Border Bruins had two familiar faces on their roster, Connor Sullivan and Dontae Nowell, who were both sent to the Bruins when the Nitro’s roster became crowded in late September. “For the coaching staff it was irrelevant.” Stuart said “I know some of the players talk to the guys. They are both good kids, it was a numbers thing for moving them.

“We respect them both very much, and they competed like they always do. For the players it may have had a little more of an effect.”

Heading into the game, Grand Forks was leading the league in penalty minutes, and Stuart wanted to make sure the players didn’t get drawn into a penalty filled match.

“We addressed that before in the meeting: stay out of the stuff after the whistle, play with our speed and depth, and they will eventually take penalties – which is what happened.”

By the end of the game, the Bruins collected 88 minutes’ worth of penalties.

This gave the Dynamiters ample chances on the power play and a lot of ice to work with. Eleven different Nitro’s had at least one point as they went on to beat the Bruins 7-2.

“Sterzer was one of our better players.” Staurt recalled. “He played physical and he got involved.” Sterzer earned three assists by the end of the night.

Chase Miller also played well on the power play earning two assists.

“When we are set up on the power play, Miller is one of the guys we want with the puck to get the power play going. He is distributing the puck really well.”

One of the benefactors of the passing from Sterzer and Miller was Garreth Osmar.

“Osmar finally got to a spot where he could use his shot. He has one of the better shots on our team, just hasn’t been able to find the areas where he could let them go.

“Both his goals came from walking off the wall with speed and power; and getting to spot within the slot where he could use his shot.”

Osmar said, “It was great to finally find the back of the net and to help the team come out with the win.”

An unheralded star amongst the offensive output is goaltender Mitch Traichevich. He turned aside 55 of the 59 shots he faced this weekend. Amongst goalies that have played five or more games, Traichevich has a KIJHL leading 1.63 GAA and .946 SV%.

“Traichevich was good. He was a little shaky at the start of both games. It is something that he admits. He will have to address and fix himself. After the first five minutes of both games he was excellent. He has kept us in games, and gives a chance to win. Which is all you can ask for from a goalie.”

All in all, Stuart is really impressed with his squads’ performance.

“For us the stat we like to pride ourselves on is goals against, and to hold two teams with offensive threats to two goals, speaks to how committed we were to playing defense.

“On the attack, we just kept coming. It was good to see in both games we went on the attack until the end of the game, we didn’t slow up or let down. We had a lead and kept attacking.”

MATCH STICKS: The Kimberley Dynamiters have added goaltender Cody Campbell (’98). Campbell started the season with the Canmore Eagles (AJHL). Ruslan Katsnelson (’97) is being moved, but details were not available at time of print.


Check it out in the Kimberley Bulletin/Cranbrook Townsman

Saturday 15 October 2016

It's Game Day! Kimberley Dynamiters vs Grand Forks Border Bruins


Kimberley DynamitersvsGrand Forks Border Bruins
8-2-0-0Record5-3-2-1
16Points13
2ndDivision Standing3rd
5th (4.10)Offence (GFA)3rd (4.64)
3rd (2.20)Defence (GAA)12th (3.36)
0.922Goaltending (SV%)0.915
10th (17.86%)Power Play3rd (24.68%)
3rd (88.68%)Penalty Kill7th (86.30%)
5thPower Ranking3rd
W1StreakL2
8-2-0-0Last 105-2-1-1
Korbyn Chabot (8G-7A)Top ScorerDylan Haney (8G-11A)
Franco Colapaolo (5G-6A)2nd Top ScorerTrey Mason (9G-9A)
 James Farmer (2G-9A)3rd Top ScorerChad Grambo (6G-9A)
Ryan Hozjan (30)PIM LeaderBrady Berger (54)

Friday 14 October 2016

Former Kimberley Dynamiter named captain of Utica Comets


Former Kimberley Dynamiters player, Carter Bancks, was named the captain of the Utica Comets today. Bancks is also from the Kimberley area, and his dad, Jerry Bancks, was the coach of the Nitro's the past three seasons.

Read the Comets media release here.

It's Game Day! Kimberley Dynamiters at Spokane Braves


Kimberley DynamitersvsSpokane Braves
7-2-0-0Record4-8-0-0
14Points8
2ndDivision Standing5th
T-7th (3.78)Offence (GFA)12th (3.33)
3rd (2.22)Defence (GAA)19th (5.00)
0.921Goaltending (SV%)0.899
15th (14.00%)Power Play10th (18.64%)
3rd (88.89%)Penalty Kill12th (81.16%)
5thPower Ranking10th
L1StreakL2
7-2-0-0Last 103-7-0-0
Korbyn Chabot (6G-6A)Top ScorerPaxton Malone (9G-12A)
 James Farmer (2G-9A)2nd Top ScorerMason Jones (5G-16A)
Franco Colapaolo (3G-6A)3rd Top ScorerCarter Jones (6G-9A)
Ryan Hozjan (30)PIM LeaderMark Oestreich (37)

The Kimberley Dynamiters head on the road, again

For the second weekend in a row, the Dynamiters are heading on the road to the Neil Murdoch division. On Friday the team travels across the border to Spokane to face the Braves (4-8-0-0), and then back to the West Kootenay to battle the Grand Forks Border Bruins (5-2-2-1) on Saturday.

The Braves are currently on a two game losing skid. However, they have two players tied for first in league scoring; Paxton Malone with nine goals and 12 assists, and Mason Jones with five goals and 16 assists. Rounding out their top three scorers is rookie Carter Jones with six goals and nine assists.

The Border Bruins are the surprise team of the season, thus far. They sport seven players who average a point a game or more. Leading the attack is 20 year old Dylan Haney with seven goals and 11 assists, followed by Trey Mason with eight goals and nine assists. Plus they have a dynamite power play operating at 26.47%, good enough for second in the league. Then add Anthony Galliart who is strong between the pipes with a .937 save percentage and 2.18 goals against average to accompany his 3-1-2 record.

The Dynamiters enter this weekend after a polarizing weekend which saw them dominate the Chase Heat in the last 20 minutes en-route to a 6-1 victory, followed by a close 3-2 loss to division rivals, Columbia Valley Rockies. James Farmer is on a hot streak for the Nitro’s, he has had points in the last four games, getting seven along the way.

The Dynamiters look to continue to prove that they are a road team by playing a full 60-minutes of hockey.


Puck drop for both games is at 8:00 PM.

Thursday 13 October 2016

The Ktunaxa Nation Hockey Program Launches


Grab your kyxuk̓ȼiyamuⱡ and lets play some kyxuk̓ȼiyam!
On this past Friday, October 7th, the Ktunaxa Nation Hockey Program launched. It was a dream project carried out by family support worker Darcy Fisher and social worker Marie Laska from Ktunaxa/Kinbasket Child & Family Services.
“There was a lot of dreaming.” Fisher said, “This is a dream that I have had since I started family support with Ktunaxa/Kinbasket Child and Family Services.”
“Hockey was always a part of my life growing up. So to bring that opportunity to my two children and our community members is something that is really taken fruition nicely.”
For Laska it all started with, “a love for sports and a strong appreciation that sports are integral for building life skills for children and families.”
The program was able to dress over 20 children and youth in complete hockey gear and secure ice-time until March 2017. This was made possible by grant support from viaSport and JumpStart; plus support from Sport Chek, the Calgary Hitmen and Hockey Education Reaching Out Society (HEROS).
But for Laska it just wasn’t the financial support that made the launch of the program a success. “This brought together members from the community who could support the program, who had hockey or skating experience.”
“If it wasn’t for the community; for taking all the steps along the way of getting people on board, to get excited, having people responding; it never would have happened.”
Fisher, who was recently elected to Chief and Council for the Ê”Akisq'nuk First Nation, added. “I have been waiting for this, to get the people out there and get the health and wellness routine into their lifestyle.
“To be able to support youth is the biggest thing we want to do. These kids are out there smiling, laughing and having fun playing hockey. It is pretty awesome.”
Doreen Clement was one of the parent’s in attendance watching her son Kezdin play.
“This is great! This is exciting and excellent for the community. I’m happy that all the parents that came to support.”
Children and youth with Ktunaxa ancestry came from Ê”aq'am and Cranbrook to the Kinsmen Arena play. Some knew how to skate, but many did not and were learning for the first time. However, the goal of the program isn’t just about learning how to skate and play, it is about the life skills that will be learned in providing a healthy option for after school play.
Fisher said that one of the main goals is having “a healthy choice for something that you can do, and you are having fun with your peers while doing it, that is first and foremost above all.
“Second is healthy activity. After school hours are sometimes the most vulnerable. To give them a healthy option is paramount to their future.”
Clement said “some of the kids sit at home and some may not know what to do with their time.
“This is getting them out, getting exercise and they are meeting people that they don’t always interact with. They are out here and helping each other out. It’s great”
Laska added that having the chance to be mentor’s and build leadership skills is another goal of the program.
Those goals may have been met on the first day alone. Kezdin, who is taking a mentor role because of his experience playing hockey since age five said, “I get to help my friends learn how to skate.”
He also added, “We don’t do this every day. I get to hang out with my friends and play some hockey.”
But he summed it up in one word: “Fun.”
“When you see the families coming out, that is what it is about.” Laska said “It is something that is a wonderful thing, promoting a community bond, through hockey.”
The program, started with a dream, and it will grow.
“This is ground zero,” Laska said. “Skill building, team work, and realizing that they have an ability to connect with something bigger than themselves. This is something that is special, that they can grow with.”


Photo by Saige Francis