The Kimberley Dynamiters win Game One 8-3

There was a lot of build up heading into this fan favourite series. Most of the hype was about how close this series was going to be, Game One did not finish close.

Game Notes
Nitro's Roster: Risdon and Purdy. Osmar is suspended
Riders Roster: Huago, Pierce, Kingwell out with injury. Affiliate Beranek in the game.

1st Period
This was expected, penalties. The first penalty was called not even 2-minutes into the game against the Ghostriders. Kimberley's Van Steinburg, a defencemen, made them pay as he crashed the net and put home a rebound. Colapaolo looked to build on the lead with a breakaway, but was stopped by Henderson. The Riders Wilson scored his own PP goal to level the game. But the Dynamiters would finish the period up 2-1, as Karpyshyn fed Davies on a 2-on-1 break. Shots were 15-12 for Fernie, Campbell was holding his line.

2nd Period
The Riders tied the game at two, with a goal by Nemes, but this would be the closest the game would get. Nitro's POM B Bertoia quickly gave the Nitro's a 3-2 lead. Then the penalties continued to be called, which lead to a 4-on-4, and this is where the explosion happened. In the span of 1:09 the Dynamiters scored three goals: Langelaar's ecstatic effort, Karpyshyn finished a 2-on-0 with Miller, and Lassiter trailed the play to fire a shot in. All of a sudden it was 6-2 Kimberley. The Riders changed their goalie to Youngson. Nitro's outshot Fernie 13-6.

3rd Period

Nitro's Langelaar and Rider's Sincennes dropped the gloves at with 14 minutes left, avoiding an automatic 1-game suspension for their fight. The Riders did try to fight their way back as Traverse scored the teams third goal of the game, but Page and Van Steinburg gave the Dynamiters a commanding 8-3 win over the Riders. Shots in the period were 10-7 for Kimberley.

Campbell made 25 saves for his first KIJHL playoff win. B Bertoia was named the home star, however Karpyshyn and Davies each had three points (1G, 2A).

Game Two goes tonight at 7pm at the Kimberley Civic Centre.

Photos by Jonathan Righton