Kimberley Dynamiters score twice in OT to beat Creston Valley in double OT

Photo by Jonathan Righton

After the Dynamiters edged out the Thunder Cats on Wednesday, the two teams tied up the laces for a rematch. But this time in Kimberley's barn.

Game Notes

• It was a smaller crowd than usual for a Saturday game, 342 in attendance. I think the opening of the ski hill had something to do with it.
• The top two goalies in the league, Brouwer & Lefebvre squared off.
• Creston fans showed up for the game as well, which always adds another dimension to the atmosphere in the arena.
• Creston is a deadly special teams team.
• Bertoia is out due to suspension

1st

Both teams unleashed a lot of energy. High flying action from end to end. The save of the game, imo, came early, to keep the game knotted up. The Cats Cartwright split the D and got in alone, He deked left and right, Brouwer stretched out and somehow kept the puck out. If that went in, it would have changed the whole flavour of the game. Both teams swapped penalties. And after one period the two teams were even, in every way: one pp chance each, 12 shots on net, and zero goals.

During the intermission over the webcast I noted that Eric who was shooting to win was the co-owner of the bakery, I was incorrect when I said he played Jr B for Kimberley and Cranbrook, at that time it was Jr A hockey in both communities.

2nd

Both teams were careless with the puck in their own end. Several times the goalies had to bail their d-men out. This led to some off-setting penalties. After those were done, Brouwer received a penalty for delay of game (he later called himself a goon for having 12 PIM in two games against Creston). Just as that penalty expired, the Cats got themselves on the board, and it was 1-0 for the Cats. Kimberley took another penalty. Knowing that Creston has a 25% conversion rate on the PP, I got nervous. But the PK unit stood their ground. The hit of the game happened this period, as Meier leveled a Cats player, depending on who's side your on, it was a good hit or a bad hit. As the period wound down, Busch took a shot from the point that Richter deflected in, tying the game at one. Creston had the edge in shots 12-10.

3rd

Both teams exchanged hemming each other in the offensive zone. This period was fast paced, few whistles and a lot of chances. Both Brouwer and Lefebvre put up brick walls. Kimberley did go short handed twice, but killed off the power plays. This game was headed to OT. Shots were 12-7 for Creston.

OT

The teams skated 4-on-4 to start OT after a short five minute break. There was more ice to cover, and but teams, as they have done all game (which must be exhausting!) traded chances. In a weird moment with a minute left in OT, Creston was given a penalty for kneeing (a questionable call, I thought). The first OT period ended still tied. The second OT period started with a 4-on-3 because of the penalty, a 3-on-2 was not going to happen. Kimberley scored on the PP, in OT started celebrating, and then the goal was waved off. The shot was taken from the point and deemed to have been gloved in from the circle, Bancks tried arguing that it was deflected off body accidentally, but not on purpose. Nonetheless, the Cats used one of their nine lives, and it was a tie game again. Then Buckley turned a broken play into a beautiful scoring opportunity as he broke in the offensive zone and made no mistake as the Nitro's scored for the 2nd time in OT to win the game!

When these two teams meet, it is always a thrilling game.

Dynamite Player of the Game

Tyson Brouwer - 37 saves

Honorable Mentions

Eric Buckley - GWG

Jason Richter - GTG

Further Reading

Boxscore