The Kimberley Dynamiters double up the Nelson Leafs, 4-2

The Kimberley Dynamiters hosted the Nelson Leafs, a team that has been spiraling downward due to injuries. However, despite the Leafs limping, this game was closely contested and Kimberley escaped with a 4-2 win.

Game Notes

• The Nitro's just traded Zach Morey to the Nelson Leafs, and a couple of days later, Morey was facing off against his former team.
• The Leafs had another former Nitro on their roster, Tyler Garcia. He won the hearts of some fans, and had a following at the game.
• The Leafs were playing with a short bench, short two. The team roster indicated at least five regulars were out of the lineup.
• Tyson Brouwer started the game against Ostermann.
• Recently added Benson played on a line with Richter and Marchi.
• Trey Doell was added to the d-line. Apparently he played defense in his younger years.
• 466 in attendance

1st

During this period, the ice seemed tilted to one-side as the play was in Nelson's end more than the Nitro's. The first goal of the game was scored on the PP as Busch squeezed his point shot past the goalie (Kimberley Bulletin's Taylor Rocca captured the moment perfectly). Kimberley got two more PP chances before the period was out, but the game remained 1-0. Shots were 7-4 in favour of Kimberley.

2nd
The ice seemed to level out, and tip a little more in Nelson's favor. Kimberley did get a PP chance, but Nelson killed it off. Later, Kimberley was penalized and Nelson potted in a rebound. Newcomer Benson blocked a shot and limped towards the bench, he did return, but favored his leg. Trevor Van Steinburg also went to the dressing room after he took a high stick. The period ended knotted up, shots were 9-8 for Kimberley.

3rd
Just after the five minute mark, Nelson took the lead. It was a neat play to watch as they dumped it farside, chased the puck down and popped it in front of the net to be redirected in. As a fan, though, panic set in, we were down 2-1. The panic was short lived, as Haase tied the game up 20 seconds later. Benson was back in the game, and got tackled to the ice, drawing another Kimberley PP. Later Richter posterized the Nelson D as he scored a beauty goal to give the Dynamiters a 3-2 lead. After this, Buckley took (not delivered) the hit of the game as Nelson's Novin met Buckley at centre ice. Then this is also where things got curious. Benson was called for cross-checking after the goal. So the ref decided to move the after a goal face-off to the Nitro's end, puzzling - because all face-offs after a goal are supposed to take place at centre ice. Nonetheless, Kimberley was able to kill of the penalty. Trevor Van Steinburg (back out on the ice) had a great opportunity for a shorty, but was back checked and couldn't finish. Brouwer then bailed out the D after a turnover down low. Tension was growing as each minute went by. Trevor Van Steinburg got a second chance and scored as he directed in a nice feed from Buckley, 4-2 Kimberley. The Nitro's held onto that lead. They also led in shots this period 14-7.

Nitro's Player of the Game
Kenaan Haase - 1G 2A, 1st star of the game.

Honorable Mentions
Trevor Van Steinburg - 1G, 2nd star of the game with his insurance marker.
Jason Richter - 1G the eventual GWG
Trey Doell - Showed good vision while playing D.
Brendon Benson - 2A in debut
Graham Dugdale - KIJHL Star of the Game

Extra Reading
Boxscore