Kimberley Dynamiters and Fernie Ghostriders series tied at one after first weekend

The Kimberley Dynamiters vs Fernie Ghostriders is a fan favourite series, and two games in, it has impressed.

The Kimberley Dynamiters started the series with a KABOOM, as they shocked the Fernie Ghostrider 8-3.

“Credit to them, they smelled blood in the water.” Said Ghostriders head coach and general manager Craig Mohr. “We just didn't have a good bounce back when they scored, we kind of got on our heels. I don't know if that was playoff shell shock.”

The first 20 minutes went as anticipated for a Kimberley-Fernie series, close scoring. The Dynamiters held a 2-1 lead, with goals from Tyler Van Steinburg and Matt Davies.

It was in the middle frame, in a span of 70 seconds that defined the game. At this point the game was 3-2 for Kimberley, with a Brandy Bertoia goal, but the game was 4-on-4, and the Dynamiters capitalized with the extra room. Devon Langelaar, Joe Karpyshyn and Cody Lassiter all scored in a row. The shell shocked Riders changed their goalie after they were down 6-2.

The Riders tried to make the game respectable adding their third, but then Cooper Page and Van Steinburg responded, for a final score of 8-3.

Cody Campbell made 25 saves for his first KIJHL playoff win.

“We can't get into a track meet with Kimberley or else we are going to be up the track” Mohr said. “Which is what we found out in Game One.”

The Ghostriders then changed from their black to red jersey’s and altered their game style: “We’ve got to get back to playing our game, that's chipping and chasing, going north and south, finishing checks. We have to play our gritty style of game.”

And that’s just what Fernie did in game two on Saturday night. Brandon Nemes gave the Riders a 1-0 lead after an intense first period.

The battle for ice continued in the second. Only the Ghostriders were able to capitalize on their scoring chance in the second, as Ty Abbott scored. Riders goalie, Brendan Henderson was putting on a clinic after being chased from the net in game one.

The Dynamiters were able to close the gap as Karpyshyn scored. However, the Riders improved their pushback and answered with a goal of their own 62 seconds later. Franco Colapaolo got the Nitro’s back to within one. Then with time ticking away, Keelan Saworski gave the Riders a 4-2 lead with 58 seconds left. The Nitro’s pulled the goalie, but this game would end in Fernie’s favor.

“It's the old cliché,” Mohr said “you want to get your split on the road and give yourself a chance to go back into your rink and use that home ice advantage to take get an advantage in the series.”

The Dynamiters, however, felt the sting of losing at home.

“I told them after the loss, to let it sting until midnight and then let it go.” Nitro’s head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said “We can't dwell on the past two games. Monday is a brand new game, and we have to treat it as the best of five now, it's 0-0 all over again.”

Even though it is now a best of five series, with three games in Fernie, the Nitro’s are feeling confident about Monday and Tuesday in Fernie.

“Our players are ready for their arena.” Stuart said “We have done well in their rink, even though I know the results don't show that. We are very confident in that arena.”

Stuart also added, “If they had outplayed us in their arena there would be cause for concern but it's quite the opposite. We controlled the game physically and scoring chance wise in 3 of the 4 times we've played there.”

Then taking it another level further, Stuart recalled the last game of the regular season, “If you can win in Beaver Valley, you can win anywhere. We are really confident heading into Fernie on Monday.”

Ghostriders bench boss is taking a calmer approach to the games coming up:

“Once the first two games are over the nerves are out, and it is going to settle into what a playoff series normally is.

“Usually when it is Kimberley and us it becomes a grind, I see this one being no different.

“I think we have to enjoy and embrace it. We have to appreciate and have fun with the crowd and use that to our advantage.

“It's such a fun series. When you get two teams that are rivals and are both such good hockey teams, it just makes for fun hockey. It's awesome.”

Game three of the series happened Monday night (INSERT RESULT HERE IF POSSIBLE) and game four happens Tuesday night in Fernie at 7:30pm. The series then returns to Kimberley on Thursday at 7pm.

MATCH STICKS: Brandt Bertoia was named the Kimberley Dynamiters regular season February Player of the Month, in five games, Bertoia scored six goals and two assists, while be named the teams star of the game twice. Chase Miller was named the Eddie Mountain Division Rookie of the Year, he scored 51 points in 41 games.

Check it out in the Kimberley Bulletin/Cranbrook Townsman