The Kimberley Dynamiters improved their record to 3-1-0-0
this past weekend. The Nitro’s doubled the Golden Rockets on Friday, 6-3; and
then followed it up with a 5-3 comeback win over the Fernie Ghostriders.
Head Coach and General Manager Derek Stuart summarized both
games: “They were both entertaining, that’s for sure.
“They had some good moments and they had some bad moments
just like any other team right now in September. I thought we had more good moments
than bad moments, that was a positive.”
On Friday against Golden, the captain for the night, James
Farmer, got the Nitro’s on the board during the first with a deflection off of
recently signed Bryce Salverda’s point shot.
Farmer had an excellent night as captain, as he showcased
his humble lead-by-example leadership. He was a penalty-kill-blocking machine.
Stuart praised his efforts, “Farmer was definitely one of our most valuable
players on the ice that night, he has been all season.
“He’s leading by example. Doing all the things that coaches
usually have to ask of players, he’s doing them on his own.
“I believe that is a credit to Jerry Bancks and the coaching
staff last year, and the leaders that were here last year. Farmer learned from
them and is applying to his game this year.”
In the second the goal lamps were lit three times by the
Nitro’s. Caige Sterzer scored a similar goal to Farmer, as he deflected Connor
Sullivan’s point shot. Kyle Cornford got his first KIJHL goal as he found a
loose puck at the side of the net. Lastly, Troy Feldbusch glided across the
crease and slid in the Nitro’s fourth goal, putting them up 4-3 after 40
minutes.
By the end of the night the Nitro’s had six different
players score a goal each, as the Nitro’s solidified their lead with two more
goals from Nicholas Ketola and Korbyn Chabot.
“It has been scoring by committee so far.” Stuart commented,
“The team has really embraced: it doesn’t really matter who scores as long as
they are in our jersey. It is really refreshing and positive attitude.”
As entertaining as the game was for the 378 in attendance;
it was a pane of glass that stole the show, delaying the game by 50 minutes and
created concerns of rink safety for the players. But play continued
By Saturday’s game, that pane of glass had been fortified; which
is always needed when the Ghostriders come to town, because in this game alone
there were 82 penalties in minutes called.
The first period against Fernie was not in Kimberley’s
favor, as the Riders registered a 3-1 lead. The only goal for Kimberley was
scored by Chabot as he wired a shot in from the top of the circles.
Ruslan Katsnelson, the California native who was manning the
crease, recalled, “The first period was tough on me, but I kept telling myself
to relax and stay confident.”
“I regrouped during the first intermission and felt pretty
confident the rest of the game. The guys did a great job battling the whole
game and never giving up either. A lot of credit to them.”
The second period was scoreless draw. The Dynamiters still
needed two goals to level the game.
Stuart shared what he said to the players during the
intermission, “I told them I was glad that things had gone the way they had. It
was testing our team chemistry, it was testing our mental toughness, it was
testing our conditioning, and testing our desire and will, and how badly we
wanted to put a solid period together.”
The third period comeback started on a rush by Franco
Colapaolo who hurried in on a short-handed break, but was stopped, he then
followed the puck and fed the rebound to Ryan Hozjan. Goal one.
Harrison Risdon fired a cannon from the point that found
it’s way in. Goal two. Game was level.
Next the Nitro’s had a 5-on-3 and they kept setting up heavy
shooter Chabot, which eventually paid off. Goal three. The Dynamiters led 4-3.
“I’m just happy to contribute in whatever way my team needs
me,” Chabot said.
“Last year I had to play more of a support role, because I
was the young rookie on a talented team. This year I have a bit more experience
and hope to help my team with a more offensive role.”
Seconds later, as the Riders tried clearing the zone, the
puck deflected off of Ketola and in. Goal four. It was now 5-3 Kimberley, and
the 452 fans were ecstatic about the lead and the four unanswered goals.
Stuart praised Ketola’s efforts, “He was one of our best
players this weekend. He was rewarded. He fore-checked hard, instead of gliding
or coasting in. He did a lot of things we had been asking our guys to do.”
Saturday’s game ended 5-3. Katsnelson made 51 saves to earn
the two wins.
Stuart said of Saturday’s effort, “I thought that third
period was our best period of the year, regardless if they got four goals or
one goal.
“Their actions and effort were outstanding in the third, as
it will happen most times, they will get rewarded.
“I think it was a good lesson for them, and also for the
hockey club. If we can play like that more consistently we will be a tough club
to deal with.”
For both Katsnelson and Chabot it was a great feeling
beating both division rivals.
“I think it gives us a big boost going into this weekend’s
game. Hopefully we can keep it up.” Katsnelson shared.
While Chabot used a motto from last year “We just can’t get
too high and not too low. We will get a good week of practice in and head over
to Golden this weekend, and hopefully get a win”
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