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| Photo by Jonathan Righton |
Game Notes
- Tyson Brouwer started against Jake Mullen
- "Kaboom" sticks were given out before the game to be thrown on the ice after the Nitro's first goal.
- Injuries/Scratches: Mallard, Campanella, Hunt, Pagura
1st
The feeler period. Two teams that have not seen each other at all this season, spent this period getting acquainted with one another. Becoming familiar with one another's systems, strategies, and plays. Not that this period was slow, it wasn't, it just lacked good quality chances. Both goalies held down the fort as Kamloops fired 8 shots to Kimberley's 6. Kimberley got the bulk of their shots as the period wound down.
2nd
The physicality picked up, as did the chances. The Storm had a beauty of a chance as they broke in on the wing and fired a shot off the crossbar. The Saretsky, Richter & Marchi line later broke in, and Marchi scored the first goal of the series, giving the Nitro's a 1-0 lead. Then those kaboom sticks flooded the ice, and the Dynamiters cleaned those sticks up the fastest they could. Interestingly, the ref then asked the announcer to say that anything thrown on the ice would result in a penalty against the home team (which I think is always a great opportunity for away fans to penalize the home team), which makes sense, it is disruptive and not safe... however, a living animal can be thrown on the ice in Fernie, usually after the second goal, with no warning to the fans to not throw anything else on the ice - I dislike inconsistencies. Jordan Roy took what would eventually be the only penalty of the game. Kamloops took advantage of the PP opportunity and tied the game in the last minute. Kamloops led in shots 11-4.
3rd
Intensity increased. With that, increases opportunities. Kimberley got an opportunity as Prevost was left alone and knocked in a pass from Buckley, restoring the Dynamiters lead. Both teams are capable of playing out these low scoring games, so every inch of the ice was being contested for, several players on both sides were sacrificing their body to bloc a shot. Most notably, Richter blocked a shot that left him limping, but he got back up and played his next shift. Later, he and Saretsky broke in on a 2-on-1, Saretsky did a nifty pass and Richter buried it for the insurance marker, 3-1 Kimberley. Of course, Kamloops was just going to wave the white flag, two minutes later they fired a puck just over the pad of Brouwer, making it 3-2. Kamloops pulled the goalie with 90 seconds left. It was organized chaos for the remainder of the period, Kamloops couldn't tie the game, and Kimberley couldn't get a puck in the empty net. Kimberley won game one 3-2. Kamloops led in shots 8-4.
After surrounding the goalie and raising their sticks at centre ice, Richter looked like he was T-rex learning how to skate, I don't know if it was a celebration dance, a prank, or the fulfillment of a bet, but it reminded me of Julius Hudacek, who is known for his postgame celebrations, called the #HudaShow.
While no one expects this to be a four-game sweep series, Kimberley has inched one game closer to the title. The two teams face off tonight at the Civic Centre, 7pm.
Dynamite Player of the Game
Jason Richter - The captain came up big when he was needed. Assisting on the opening goal, scoring the GWG, and showed leadership with his shot blocking. KIJHL Player of the Game. Also became Who's hot in the KI.
Honorable Mentions
Tyson Brouwer - 25 saves
Braden Saretsky - 2A
Further Reading
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