The Kimberley Dynamiters had a big weekend
as they took down two divisional opponents.
First, they declawed the Creston Valley
Thunder Cats with a 6-4 win at home. Then they followed it up by a controlling
4-0 win over the Columbia Valley Rockies.
Against the Thunder Cats, the Nitro’s power
play was clicking early as they took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission,
with goals by James Farmer and Chase Miller.
“We just focused on our power play and few
things we had to do,” Said head coach and general manager Derek Stuart. “The
main thing, is generic that everyone says, that is moving pucks quicker and
getting pucks at the net. It's nothing extraordinary or mind blowing, it is
just simple hockey in getting pucks and bodies to the net.”
In the middle frame, Miller gave the
Nitro’s a 3-0 lead. But the Cats clawed their way back into the game, cutting
the Nitro’s lead down to one.
In the final 20 minutes, the score doubled
for both teams. Devon Langelaar scored a power play goal, and then Korbyn
Chabot added two more goals, for a final score of 6-4.
The Dynamiters came away with a solid win
on home ice against the Cats, who have dealt the Nitro’s a couple of losses in
Creston.
“It's a matter of two teams being very,
very hard to beat on their home ice,” Stuart said. “It's an arena that we take
pride in. The players and the coaching staff really enjoy and appreciate the
fans that come out to our games.
“We try to do our best for them and reward
them, not only with a victory but with hard work that they can be proud of.”
There were two firsts in this game, it was
recently acquired Nic Herringer’s first game as a Nitro, and it was George
Bertoia’s first game back from being injured.
“Herringer was really good in his first
game with a bunch of new systems being thrown at him in a day. He fits in real
well with what we are trying to do here.”
Where as G. Bertoia was excited to be back
in the game: “It was good, just to be back, winning with the boys. It's a lot better than sitting in the
stands.”
The Dynamiters then prepared for yet
another game against the Columbia Valley Rockies, and G. Bertoia said the team
needed to “just stick to the game plan. Play hard. Get the two points.”
Despite the Dynamiters pouring 18 shots on
net, it was scoreless after 20 minutes. The Dynamiters took control in the
second period, though.
“We had to give them a little kick in the
butt to remind them that they are not better than anyone else, unless they go
out and prove it.” Staurt recalled, “They didn't do that in the first. In the
second we were better, moving feet, moving pucks. We controlled the puck and
the game in the second period.”
The Dynamiters scored three goals in the
span of four minutes. Newcomer, Nolan Kurylo got the Nitro’s on the board
first, followed by Matt Davies, and Brandt Bertoia.
B. Bertoia would eventually get three
points in the game, in front of his parents in the crowd. “My parents made the
drive down from Unity, Saskatchewan. I like to make them proud.
“It's not even proving to my parents,” B.
Bertoia added. “it's proving to the team, players and coaches, what you can do.
They showed some trust in me, and I should show them why.”
The Dynamiters then added their fourth goal
of the game, courtesy of Caige Sterzer, as the Nitro’s secured a 4-0 victory
over the Rockies.
Cody Campbell made 23 saves for his second
shutout of the week. It’s been a big week for him as he took the starter role
after Mitch Traichevich was traded to Dawson Creek for Cody Call.
“I feel very confident in my abilities.”
Campbell said after the game Saturday “I can't see why we can't have more
success to come.
“I'm really just trying to prove that the
coaches made the right decision. When my team plays like that it's not hard for
me to do.”
Kurylo has also been making his mark on the
team as he has earned six points in five games. “I've just been sticking to the system and
the game plan. It's just been working out. I have been working hard, and I have
been rewarded for it.
“I'm a gritty player, I will get into the
hard areas.”
The Dynamiters are now on a four game
winning streak, and sit tied on top of the Eddie Mountain Division with the
Creston Valley Thunder Cats.
“The toughest thing about being a coach is
not letting these guys get to high when they are up and not letting them get
too low when they are down.” Stuart said as he is preparing the team for the
upcoming home games this weekend against the Columbia Valley Rockies and the
Nelson Leafs.
MATCH
STICKS: Connor Kendall (’98) has suffered a season
ending injury. Nic Herringer ('98) and Joe Karpyshyn ('98) were added to the
team.
Photos by Jonathan Righton
Check it out in the Kimberley Bulletin/Cranbrook Townsman
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