Thursday 24 November 2016

Kimberley Dynamiters prepare for divisional match-ups

The Kimberley Dynamiters look to close out the month of November on a positive note as they face two divisional rivals this weekend.

The Columbia Valley Rockies  (6-13-0-3) come to the Kimberley Civic Centre on Friday. The Rockies enter the game having lost their last game, and are only winners in three of their last 10. 

The Rockies are led by youth, all five of the top scorers are born in 1998, and four of those are rookies to the KIJHL. 

In net is Connor McKay, a goalie who has netted a goal this season, who faces an average of 41 shots per game, so don’t let his GAA foul you. 

The previous two meetings have happened in Invermere, and the result has been decided by one goal, with each team winning one. This could be another close match up, but look for the Dynamiters to feed off the fans, as they have in the past.

The big test this weekend will happen in Fernie Memorial Arena as the Nitro’s take on the Ghostriders (14-7-0-1). The Riders are one of the hottest teams in the KIJHL. They have won their past six games, and have won eight of their past 10. 

They don’t boast a league leading scorer but they have three forwards averaging a point per game: Mitch Titus, Justin Peers, and Ryan Kennedy. But pay attention to defenceman Alex Cheveldave who earns nearly a point per game, but is more known for getting under the skin of the Dynamiters. 

The two teams have split their meetings earlier this season, with each team winning one game. This game will determine just how close the Riders can get to the Dynamiters in the Eddie Mountain Division standings.

As for the Dynamiters, they look to continue being on the familiar winning and hard to play against path. But also want to stabilize what head coach and general manager Derek Stuart has called a weird month with lopsided wins and lopsided losses.

Friday’s game at the Civic Centre versus the Rockies starts at 7pm. While the opening faceoff Saturday at the Fernie Memorial Arena is 7:30pm.

MATCH STICKS: Garreth Osmar has been removed from the injured list and is cleared to play. That leaves James Rota as the lone Nitro on the shelf.

Check it out in the Kimberley Bulletin/Cranbrook Townsman

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