February starts off with a KABOOM for the Kimberley Dynamiters

The start to February for the Kimberley Dynamiters has been remarkably different compared to last month. The Nitro’s opened the month with a wild 7-6 win over the Fernie Ghostriders, followed by a convincing 4-0 win over the Golden Rockets.

But if there is one thing, despite the wins, that head coach and general manager Derek Stuart is worried about, it is consistency.

Against Fernie, the Dynamiters came out strong in the first 20 minutes, taking a 2-1 lead with goals by Nolan Kurylo and Nic Herringer.

However, during the second the Nitro’s went flat and the Riders took a 3-2 lead.

“I liked our first period. I don't know what happened in the first intermission for us to come out flat in the second.” Stuart said. “The third period we were back to playing how we can. There's the inconsistency for you.”

Fans needed to fasten their seatbelts for the third period. The Riders doubled the Nitro’s early in the period, 4-2, with a power play goal.

Then in a span of 70 seconds, Brandt Bertoia scored an unassisted short handed goal. Then Brandon Langridge and Matt Davies scored. KABOOM, it’s 5-4 for the Nitro’s.

Langridge would then score his second of the game on the power play, making it 6-4 with just over seven minutes left. The game felt secure for the 613 Dynamiters faithful in attendance.

The Ghostriders had plans of their own. Scoring two goals in 38 seconds to level the game at six.

Should you prepare for overtime? No! Langridge scored his hat-trick goal, and the eventual game winner a mere 13 seconds after the Riders tied the game.

“From a coaching standpoint, it was almost comical what was going on.

“Mistakes everywhere, goals everywhere. Penalties that weren't penalties, calls that should've been made that weren't called.

“I really don't know how to explain what happened out there, especially in the third period. For entertainment value for the fans it was definitely entertaining.

“For us as a staff we would rather have three periods like we had in the first then the up and down game that we had tonight.”

Langridge was the home star of the game with his hattrick, “It's a nice feeling. All three squeezed by. Throw it on net, good things happen.” He said after the game.

Staurt said of Lanridge’s play: “He's getting rewarded because of his gritty work. He's one of the guys that is playing consistent.

“Brandon is a great example of someone who has been doing what we ask, keeping things simple and playing a gritty game. Hopefully it catches on with some of the other players.”

Langridge’s consistency appeared to catch on with the other players when they headed to Golden to play the Rockets.

The Dynamiters paced themselves for 50 shots throughout the game, and scored a goal in each period. In the first, Cooper Page scored his first goal as a Dynamiter.

The Nitro’s withheld the fight back by the Rockets in the middle frame after Kurylo scored early in the frame giving the Dynamiters a 2-0.

In the third it started getting gritty. Herringer scored the Nitro’s third goal, and then 58 minutes worth of penalties ensued. Page would score his second of the game into the empty net securing the Dynamiters 4-0 win.

Cody Campbell would earn his third shutout of the season, making 31 saves. He would make a total of 48 saves on 54 shots during the weekend.

Kurylo summarized his teams play this weekend and past month: “I know we didn't have the best month, but we are starting to come around now, and we will be coming in hot into the playoffs.”

The Dynamiters are now 2-0 in February and only have three games left. They travel to Golden this Friday, and then host the Spokane Braves on Saturday.

MATCH STICKS: Kurylo was named the Kimberley Dynamiters Player of the Month for January. He scored six goals and 13 assists in nine games. He was also named the KIJHL Player of the Month for January. Chase Miller received an honorable mention for the KIJHL Player of the Month. Harrison Risdon has been suspended for two games for kneeing. Caige Sterzer, James Rota and Miller remain sidelined with injury.

Photo by Jonathan Righton
Check it out in the Kimberley Bulletin/Cranbrook Townsman