Kimberley Dynamiters fend off the Columbia Valley Rockies for a 4-2 win

Photo by Jonathan Righton

Last week the Rockies defeated Kimberley 5-2, and then went on to beat Creston 5-4. With an 8-2 record in their past 10, the Rockies are one of the hottest, if not THE hottest team in the KI.

Game Notes

• Brouwer got the start against Sambrielaz
• Several players are out with injuries meaning there is ice time up for grabs for the Nitro's younger core.
• 664 in attendance

1st

Not to say the first period was uneventful, it was seriously entertaining, there was little on the scoresheet. It took seven minutes for the first whistle of the game as the Rockies iced the puck. It was back and forth hockey as both teams fought to get an edge over the other. The Nitro's got the first PP of the game with 41 seconds left in the period. - It seemed like there wasn't going to be ANY penalties called, as a lot of extra contact was being let go. The Rockies goalie frustrated the Nitro's fan base with how often the net was coming off. Nonetheless, the period ended knotted at zero, and the Rockies led 7-6 in shots.

2nd

The penalties started being called. The Rockies took several in a row, including giving the Nitro's a 5-on-3 chance. Coach Bancks has said this before, but when a team is tired they make poor decisions, it's also true with anger (which it's ok to be angry, just what you do with it). And with so many minutes player short handed, and the Rockies working so hard to keep the game tied, fatigue and anger would take it's toll on the game. The Nitro's book-ended the first goal of the game with penalties of their own. Buhler directed in a pass from Wit. - I missed the goal because my son needed a potty break.... correlation? It was 1-0 at the end of the period. Shots were 11-4 Kimberley.

For the Nitro's to maintain to win, they needed to keep pressuring the Rockies. For the Rockies to win, they needed to keep their shifts short. The Nitro's are known for fitness and playing a full 60 minutes.

3rd

The Nitro's quickly built on their lead as Buckley found Haase streaking through the slot and he was able to bang/snap a shot in. 2-0 Nitro's. Marchi gave the Nitro's a 3-0 lead as he knuckled the puck past a screened Rockies goalie. The Rockies took a 10 after the goal was scored. Moments later there as a pile up in the Rockies crease and there was one penalty per team. The Rockies, like the cat that came back, found their way back into the game making it 3-1 as they squeeze a puck through Brouwer with just under 10 minutes left. Kimberley had a 5 minute PP and capitalized three seconds after it expired as Trevor Van Steinburg made it 4-1. That didn't stop the Rockies from responding as they made it 4-2 with 90 seconds left. Then in the final minute, time slowed. The Rockies crowded the crease and were being called for interference, then Brouwer stood up for himself, and that's where things got ugly. It all ended when Tyler Van Steinburg body slammed an opponent to the ice. Four players were given two minutes, but told to go to the change room. The last 30 seconds were calm as Kimberley won the game 4-2.

The Nitro's had heaps of chances on the PP but were not able to solve the intense Rockies PK, and went 0/7 on the night.

Dynamite Player of the Game

Brodie Buhler - 1G 1A and drew several penalties.

Honorable Mentions

Devon Langelaar - Impressive puck control with the extra ice time due to injuries

George Bertoia - Solid defensive defenseman

Jordan Busch - 2A, KIJHL player of the game

Keenan Haase - 1G 1A

Extra Reading

Boxscore