Thursday 23 March 2017

The Kimberley Dynamiters force decisive Game Five against Beaver Valley Nitehawks


After splitting games one and two in Fruitvale, the Kimberley Dynamiters lost game three at home, and then won game four, forcing a final and decisive game five in Fruitvale on Friday.

Game three was played at the Kimberley Civic Centre on Tuesday night with 1,024 in attendance. The Beaver Valley Nitehawks’ Dylan Heppler struck first, scoring just after the five-minute mark in the first.

Nitro’s Matt Davies would dangle in short handed and score a beauty of a goal to tie the game at one. But this was as close as the game would be, as the Nitehawks would put pressure on and chase down the puck, scoring two more goals before the second ended.

“Frustration was definitely starting to creep in on the bench.” Said head coach and general manager Derek Stuart. “They were working extremely hard, taking a lot of abuse, but weren't getting rewarded for it on the scoreboard. It's hard to convince the players that scoring chances are a type of reward.”

The Dynamiters struggled to finish their chances as the Nitehawks would score their fourth goal of the game late in third on a defensive miscue by the Dynamiters.

The Nitehawks would take a 2-1 series lead with their 4-1 win.

“It wasn't a 4-1 game.” Stuart said, “They finished their scoring chances and we didn't. It was pretty even game throughout the course of 60 minutes, in terms of scoring chances and opportunities.”

The focus quickly shifted from Tuesday nights loss, to the elimination game on Wednesday night.

“Tomorrow is the easiest job for coaches for pre-game motivation, if we lose, we go home. Motivation shouldn't be a problem tomorrow.” Stuart said.

Nitro’s captain, Ryan Hozjan, added: “Make sure that when we wake up tomorrow that we forget about tonight…

“Every one has believed and wanted to get to the finals for a third year in a row. We are going to keep digging away.”

Wednesday was the first time this post-season that the Dynamiters faced elimination, as such 1,043 Nitro’s faithful, sprinkled with a few ‘Hawks faithful, filled the Civic Centre.

Both teams skated out a defensive first period, neither team wanting to make an error to cost the game.

Cody Campbell has a history of bouncing back, and he showed his commitment to the team, “I don't want to be the reason that the ship sinks, we have such an amazing opportunity here.”

Campbell would make 17 saves in the middle period, which allowed the team the opportunity to take the lead. Franco Colapaolo would take the puck from the corner, and with patience, skate across Nitehawks Tallon Kramer and give the Dynamiters a 1-0 lead.

“It feels great.” Colapaolo said about scoring the first goal, “I just try to help out the team in any way I can. I knew it was going to be a tight game, and I knew we needed the first goal - we play pretty good when we get the first one.”

The Nitehawks would turn up the intensity dial in the third, but the Dynamiters matched pace, and hold on to win 1-0.

Campbell was named the home star of the game as he made 32 saves to earn his first shut out of the post-season.

“I feel that under pressure in these playoffs I have good, and the team has been great. It's a lot of fun.” Campbell said. “The whole team very is happy.

“We knew it wasn't going to be easy, they are a phenomenal team. We are on cloud nine.
Thursday is a rest and travel day for both teams before the winner-takes-all game five on Friday for a ticket to the KIJHL Finals.

“But we are not done,” Campbell said “We know we can enjoy [the win] for the next couple of hours. Make sure we are ready to go for Friday.”

“We have been believing all season,” Colapaolo said “Even if people weren't giving us a chance.

“We know in that room that we are a good team and that we can beat any one on any given night. Hopefully we planted some doubt in [the Nitehawks] minds tonight.”

Faceoff is 8:30 MDT at the Fruitvale Arena.


MATCH STICKS: The Osoyoos Coyotes and Chase Heat will be playing their game 5 at 9:00 MDT on Friday, winner advances to the KIJHL finals.

Check it out in the Kimberley Bulletin/Cranbrook Townsman


Photo's by Jonathan Righton

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