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| Photo by Jonathan Righton |
Game Notes
- Both teams had winning streaks on the line. Wranglers won their past six, and Kimberley their past eight.
- Wallace and Pagura remain out with their injuries. Campanella was not in the game either.
- Head coach Jerry Bancks could not attend the game, so assistant coach Jeff Keiver was acting head coach.
- The sense around this game was that 100 Mile House plays an aggressive game, which suits them in a smaller venue; whereas Kimberley plays a speed game, which suits them in a larger venue. The fear was if the Nitro's would try to play the game the Wranglers way not their own way.
- It was a rematch in net: Mitch Traichevich squared off against Steeves.
- I was on a daddy-daughter date, and she wanted to hang out in the media booth with Taylor Rocca from the Bulletin and whoever was tweeting for the Dynamiters and track stats. Unfortunately we were booted out of that booth so the Nitro's could record the game (which is fine). But it was great having her track goals and penalties for us (which you will understand later).
1st
If you blinked, you missed three goals. Doell got a breakaway feed from Marchi and Richter, and he potted the first goal 38 seconds into the contest. The Wranglers were quick to even the score, adding their first of the game 90 seconds later. But Kimberley had another answer and Richter gave the Dynamiters a 2-1 lead. It felt like the two teams were going to be averaging a goal per minute at this rate. And then the penalties started. Two first against Kimberley, and then two against 100 Mile House. Kimberley was efficient on the PK, and scored on their 5-on-3. Haase got the tally, and it was 3-1 Kimberley to finish the period.
2nd
This period went to the Wranglers. They were able to draw Kimberley in for three penalties, and scored the only goal of the period. Kimberley got trapped into playing 100 Mile's aggressive physical, and unpredictable, play. I was at an RCMP sponsored training earlier this week and the brought in a neuro-scientist who specialized in teenage brains. Every time a hit happened, especially in this game, as the hits continued to get higher and higher as the game progressed; I kept going "Their brains! Their brains! Protect their brains!" The hits were heavy, hard and followed through on. There was a moment where Marchi was drilled, very reminiscent of his injury last December, and a scramble ensued; Marchi thankfully got up, but he was in the fight-mode to protect himself and grabbed which ever Wrangler was closest. Period ended with the Nitro's up 3-2.
3rd
The game was getting frustrating for both benches. Inconsistent and incongruent calls aggravated the players and the coaches. Both teams got edgy after a late hit, and there was a lot of yelling. Even the coaches verbally went after each other. Tension was high. Haase scored his second on a give away, but assists were awarded to Hunt and Busch anyway. Then the anxiety as a viewer increased as there was fear for injuries. Penalty calls started mounting up as the ref tried to manage the game. Haase then scored again with three minutes left, and there was confusion amongst us media people if that was his third goal, to which my daughter said "27 has scored three goals" while pointing to her stats sheet. It was 5-2 for the Nitro's. But like basketball, the last minutes of the game take longer than the whole game. The Dynamiters held onto the three goal lead and won 5-2.
Kimberley ended 100 Mile House's winning streak, and Kimberley has now won their past NINE games. The put their streak on the line again on Sunday when they play Chase.
Dynamite Player of the Game
Kenaan Haase - Scored the last three goals for the Dynamiters, including the GWG. KIJHL star of the game.
Honorable Mentions
Trey Doell - 1G 1A
Mitch Traichevich - 25 saves
Extra Reading
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