Kimberley Dynamiters dominant during weekend road trip

The Kimberley Dynamiters played another weekend on the road, this time visiting two offensively talented teams, the Spokane Braves and the Grand Forks Border Bruins.

Head coach and general manager Derek Stuart felt that there was excitement about crossing the border into the United States, and that the short stop at the border allowed them to be prepared for the Spokane Braves.

“We started out really well, I think that was a big boost to our guys.”

The Dynamiters took a quick 2-0 lead with goals from Ryan Hozjan and Korbyn Chabot. But the pesky Braves wouldn’t go away as they tied the game by the midway point of the second.

“Give credit Spokane,” Stuart said “they worked hard and they competed hard.”

Then after that, the Nitro’s turned it on scoring five goals in the remaining 30 minutes of the game.

“The guys overpowered Spokane as a team as the game wore on. They took over the game halfway through the second period.

“I think in the end our depth and our speed was just too much.”

What helped launch the Dynamiters past the Braves was their power play.

“Our power play was really great in Spokane. We were moving the puck well.

“We were not just standing around watching, but moving around without the puck, which was a big key as well.”

Chabot gave the Dynamiters a 3-2 lead. Then Tyler Van Steinburg scored his first of the season to give the Nitro’s a 4-2 lead after two.

The Dynamiters kept pushing as Caige Sterzer, and Franco Colapaolo (twice) scored in the third giving the Dynamiters a 7-2 win.

Cranbrook native Chabot finished the game with three points; two goals and an assist.

“Chabot was a physical force as usual. When he get’s a chance to let his shot go or drive the net with his size and force, it creates opportunities to score.”

Colapaolo from Calgary notched two goals as he continues to lead by example.

“Everything Colapaolo gets points wise is a result of his hard work. We expected a really good game from him, and we got that. He got rewarded again from working hard.”

By the end of the night, Stuart was pleased with the defensive effort of his team. “For us to hold them to two goals with such a high scoring first line and a really good power play. We did a really good job defensively against their top line.”

The Dynamiters then had to cross the border back into Canada after spending the night in Spokane to face-off against the Grand Forks Border Bruins.

The Border Bruins had two familiar faces on their roster, Connor Sullivan and Dontae Nowell, who were both sent to the Bruins when the Nitro’s roster became crowded in late September. “For the coaching staff it was irrelevant.” Stuart said “I know some of the players talk to the guys. They are both good kids, it was a numbers thing for moving them.

“We respect them both very much, and they competed like they always do. For the players it may have had a little more of an effect.”

Heading into the game, Grand Forks was leading the league in penalty minutes, and Stuart wanted to make sure the players didn’t get drawn into a penalty filled match.

“We addressed that before in the meeting: stay out of the stuff after the whistle, play with our speed and depth, and they will eventually take penalties – which is what happened.”

By the end of the game, the Bruins collected 88 minutes’ worth of penalties.

This gave the Dynamiters ample chances on the power play and a lot of ice to work with. Eleven different Nitro’s had at least one point as they went on to beat the Bruins 7-2.

“Sterzer was one of our better players.” Staurt recalled. “He played physical and he got involved.” Sterzer earned three assists by the end of the night.

Chase Miller also played well on the power play earning two assists.

“When we are set up on the power play, Miller is one of the guys we want with the puck to get the power play going. He is distributing the puck really well.”

One of the benefactors of the passing from Sterzer and Miller was Garreth Osmar.

“Osmar finally got to a spot where he could use his shot. He has one of the better shots on our team, just hasn’t been able to find the areas where he could let them go.

“Both his goals came from walking off the wall with speed and power; and getting to spot within the slot where he could use his shot.”

Osmar said, “It was great to finally find the back of the net and to help the team come out with the win.”

An unheralded star amongst the offensive output is goaltender Mitch Traichevich. He turned aside 55 of the 59 shots he faced this weekend. Amongst goalies that have played five or more games, Traichevich has a KIJHL leading 1.63 GAA and .946 SV%.

“Traichevich was good. He was a little shaky at the start of both games. It is something that he admits. He will have to address and fix himself. After the first five minutes of both games he was excellent. He has kept us in games, and gives a chance to win. Which is all you can ask for from a goalie.”

All in all, Stuart is really impressed with his squads’ performance.

“For us the stat we like to pride ourselves on is goals against, and to hold two teams with offensive threats to two goals, speaks to how committed we were to playing defense.

“On the attack, we just kept coming. It was good to see in both games we went on the attack until the end of the game, we didn’t slow up or let down. We had a lead and kept attacking.”

MATCH STICKS: The Kimberley Dynamiters have added goaltender Cody Campbell (’98). Campbell started the season with the Canmore Eagles (AJHL). Ruslan Katsnelson (’97) is being moved, but details were not available at time of print.

Check it out in the Kimberley Bulletin/Cranbrook Townsman