The Kimberley Dynamiters squeeze out two points in an ugly weekend

The Kimberley Dynamiters faced two divisional rivals this past weekend, the Fernie Ghostriders and the Columbia Valley Rockies. One game was a collapse, and the other was ugly.

First up was the collapse. The Nitro’s had built a 3-1 lead over the Ghostriders in the first 40 minutes with goals from Connor Kendall, Nolan Kurylo and Chase Miller. But then things went sour for the Nitro’s in the last 20 minutes.

Starting at the 19:02 mark of the third until the 13:05 the Riders managed to score four unanswered goals to wipe out the Nitro’s two-goal lead and secure a two-goal lead of their own.

Head coach and general manager Derek Stuart summed it up: “The third period [against Fernie] was not good, it was a collapse.”

The Dynamiters had the edge in shots 40-34 in front of 528 fans in Fernie. Kurylo debuted against Fernie, and Stuart was pleased with his early performance.

“He’s a real smart player. He already does some things that we are trying to get the team to do just from his experience playing junior A for a year and a half.”

The Dynamiters then had to recalibrate and get ready for the Columbia Valley Rockies, who they bested 8-2 the game prior.

This was the ugly game in front of 626 fans in the Civic Centre. The Dynamiters struggled to make passes, appeared disorganized, and did not come to play their brand of hockey in the Civic Centre.

“It was definitely not one of our better games.” Stuart said. “For whatever reason, we didn’t come to play our game, we more tried to match Columbia Valley and they made it hard on us tonight. We were able to gut one out, but it was not pretty. It was definitely ugly.”

November Nitro’s Player of the Month, James Farmer, explained why the team wasn’t playing to their potential.

“I think we came out a little flat, that we were going to walk all over them. Obviously that didn’t happen. We can’t underestimate them. We have had three really close games with them.”

Through 40 minutes the Dynamiters were level at two with the Rockies, with goals by Drew Van den Bosch and Garreth Osmar. It was in the final 20 minutes that the Nitro’s began to pull away.

Brandt Bertoia gave the Nitro’s a one goal lead. Then it was Devon Langelaar with a break away short-handed goal with just under three minutes left that sealed the game for the Dynamiters.

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a defenceman short handed breakaway goal.” Langelaar said, recalling the goal he scored. “We just had to get the puck out. Kind of a lucky bounce, it was right there for me. I just put it on net, I had no intention of scoring, really.”

While Langelaar provided the heroics, it was 16-year-old Adam Andersen from Kimberley, BC, that made his KIJHL starting debut, earning his first win with a 21-save performance, which stole the show.

“Adam was really good for a 16 year old and a home town kid. He was nervous all day.” Stuart said, “He made two highlight reel saves and then a bunch of key calm saves that we needed recently and he provided them tonight. I think there were times where he kept us in the game. It was nice to see. He’s really happy.”

Andersen was not just happy, but exhilarated with the win.

“It's the best feeling I have ever had in my life.” Andersen said. “The first one is always the hardest to get out of the way. I'm happy that I got to do it here on home ice in front of my family, my friends and my teammates. It was pretty awesome.”

While the Dynamiters earned two of a possible four points this weekend, Stuart has outlined a couple of things that his team needs to work on before tonight’s game against the Golden Rockets.

“We are going to have to figure out why it was a slow start.” He said, “We are not in the position to take anyone lightly. We have no right to take any team lightly. If that’s what is happening, we need to fix it right away.

“We are going to have to take shorter shifts and manage the puck better [against Golden]. We are going there to get a job done. Just manage the puck; it doesn’t need to be pretty. Keep the puck out of the danger zone.”

While Farmer added: “Get prepared, get rest, and come out hard. Don’t take them lightly. Play them physical and strong, and beat them down.”

The Dynamiters travel to Golden tonight to play the Rockets at the Golden Arena. Puck drop is 7:30pm.

MATCH STICKS: The Kimberley Dynamiters have traded Mitch Traichevich (’97) to his hometown Dawson Creek Jr Canucks for goaltender Cody Call (‘98). Korbyn Chabot has been held pointless in his four games with the Trail Smoke Eaters (BCHL). George Bertoia remains sidelined with injury.

Photos by Jonathan Righton

Check it out in the Kimberley Bulletin/Cranbrook Townsman