The Fernie Ghostriders wing 6-5 over Kimberley Dynamiters, take 2-1 series lead

Game Notes
Nitro's Roster: Risdon, Osmar & Purdy were dressed, while B Bertoia, Van Steinburg and Sterzer were scratched.
Riders Roster: Same skaters as Game Two, Henderson started in net.

1st Period
After a scoreless first half of the period, the Dynamiters capitalized on the Power Play scoring 4-goals in a row. The Nitro's GM/Coach mentioned the team was feeling confident heading into Fernie. Similar to Game One, the Dynamiters scored three goals in just over a minute. Ketola, Davies and Farmer (x2) scored. In the final minute, the Riders did score, as Peers cut into the Nitro's lead. After period one, it was 4-1, and the Nitro's outshot the Riders 16-12.

It almost felt that the game had been decided (in similar fashion to Game One) with the flurry of goals.

2nd Period
However, one thing the Riders GM/Coach wanted was a better push back. They started by changing their goalie, with Youngson starting the 2nd. Within two minutes of the second period starting, the Riders has scored their 2nd and 3rd goals, by Titus and Pierce. Then by the 4th minute, the Riders had tied the game at four. The Nitro's outshot the Riders in the period, 14-6.

3rd Period
The Riders continued their pushback with an early goal that squeezed in by Kennedy. They would later follow up with their sixth goal in a row, with Peers second of the game. Desperation kicked in for the Dynamiters, but they were only able to muster one more goal, as Davies scored a beautiful goal. The Riders would hold on to win the game 6-5. Nitro's also led in shots this period, 9-6.

In short, the Riders came back from 4-nothing, to win the game 6-5, to take a 2-1 series lead in the best of seven.

Game Four is tonight at the Fernie Memorial Arena at 7:30pm.

Kimberley Dynamiters and Fernie Ghostriders series tied at one after first weekend

The Kimberley Dynamiters vs Fernie Ghostriders is a fan favourite series, and two games in, it has impressed.

The Kimberley Dynamiters started the series with a KABOOM, as they shocked the Fernie Ghostrider 8-3.

“Credit to them, they smelled blood in the water.” Said Ghostriders head coach and general manager Craig Mohr. “We just didn't have a good bounce back when they scored, we kind of got on our heels. I don't know if that was playoff shell shock.”

The first 20 minutes went as anticipated for a Kimberley-Fernie series, close scoring. The Dynamiters held a 2-1 lead, with goals from Tyler Van Steinburg and Matt Davies.

It was in the middle frame, in a span of 70 seconds that defined the game. At this point the game was 3-2 for Kimberley, with a Brandy Bertoia goal, but the game was 4-on-4, and the Dynamiters capitalized with the extra room. Devon Langelaar, Joe Karpyshyn and Cody Lassiter all scored in a row. The shell shocked Riders changed their goalie after they were down 6-2.

The Riders tried to make the game respectable adding their third, but then Cooper Page and Van Steinburg responded, for a final score of 8-3.

Cody Campbell made 25 saves for his first KIJHL playoff win.

“We can't get into a track meet with Kimberley or else we are going to be up the track” Mohr said. “Which is what we found out in Game One.”

The Ghostriders then changed from their black to red jersey’s and altered their game style: “We’ve got to get back to playing our game, that's chipping and chasing, going north and south, finishing checks. We have to play our gritty style of game.”

And that’s just what Fernie did in game two on Saturday night. Brandon Nemes gave the Riders a 1-0 lead after an intense first period.

The battle for ice continued in the second. Only the Ghostriders were able to capitalize on their scoring chance in the second, as Ty Abbott scored. Riders goalie, Brendan Henderson was putting on a clinic after being chased from the net in game one.

The Dynamiters were able to close the gap as Karpyshyn scored. However, the Riders improved their pushback and answered with a goal of their own 62 seconds later. Franco Colapaolo got the Nitro’s back to within one. Then with time ticking away, Keelan Saworski gave the Riders a 4-2 lead with 58 seconds left. The Nitro’s pulled the goalie, but this game would end in Fernie’s favor.

“It's the old cliché,” Mohr said “you want to get your split on the road and give yourself a chance to go back into your rink and use that home ice advantage to take get an advantage in the series.”

The Dynamiters, however, felt the sting of losing at home.

“I told them after the loss, to let it sting until midnight and then let it go.” Nitro’s head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said “We can't dwell on the past two games. Monday is a brand new game, and we have to treat it as the best of five now, it's 0-0 all over again.”

Even though it is now a best of five series, with three games in Fernie, the Nitro’s are feeling confident about Monday and Tuesday in Fernie.

“Our players are ready for their arena.” Stuart said “We have done well in their rink, even though I know the results don't show that. We are very confident in that arena.”

Stuart also added, “If they had outplayed us in their arena there would be cause for concern but it's quite the opposite. We controlled the game physically and scoring chance wise in 3 of the 4 times we've played there.”

Then taking it another level further, Stuart recalled the last game of the regular season, “If you can win in Beaver Valley, you can win anywhere. We are really confident heading into Fernie on Monday.”

Ghostriders bench boss is taking a calmer approach to the games coming up:

“Once the first two games are over the nerves are out, and it is going to settle into what a playoff series normally is.

“Usually when it is Kimberley and us it becomes a grind, I see this one being no different.

“I think we have to enjoy and embrace it. We have to appreciate and have fun with the crowd and use that to our advantage.

“It's such a fun series. When you get two teams that are rivals and are both such good hockey teams, it just makes for fun hockey. It's awesome.”

Game three of the series happened Monday night (INSERT RESULT HERE IF POSSIBLE) and game four happens Tuesday night in Fernie at 7:30pm. The series then returns to Kimberley on Thursday at 7pm.

MATCH STICKS: Brandt Bertoia was named the Kimberley Dynamiters regular season February Player of the Month, in five games, Bertoia scored six goals and two assists, while be named the teams star of the game twice. Chase Miller was named the Eddie Mountain Division Rookie of the Year, he scored 51 points in 41 games.

Check it out in the Kimberley Bulletin/Cranbrook Townsman

Bloggers Blurb - February 25, 2017

Discuss the Eddie Mountain Division awards.

Bloggers Blurb - February 24, 2017

Discuss Game One, Fernie & Kimberley playoff history, and we make our playoff predictions.

The Fernie Ghostriders win Game Two 4-2, tying the series with the Kimberley Dynamiters

The Kimberley Dynamiters and Fernie Ghostriders went at it again in their best of seven series, after being downed 8-3, the Ghostriders had something to prove in Game Two

Game Notes
Riders Roster: Pierce returned to the lineup, Henderson started the game. The Riders changed to their Red Jersey's.
Nitros Roster: Andersen backed up Campbell. Same skaters dressed, therefore Purdy, Risdon and Osmar were out.

1st Period
It was a tightly contested first period, neither team registered more than nine shots in the period. It became apparent early in the game, that a few at the Civic Centre were ready to take on the officiating. And when Fernie's B Nemes scored the first goal of the game on a power play, they were not happy, but that relationship was immediately repaired when a Fernie goal was waved off.

2nd Period
The battle for space on the ice continued, except this time there was a lot more pucks fired on net. The ref tried to let their players play, only calling two penalties this frame - and depending who you talk to, that was a bad or a good thing. Abbott gave the Riders a 2-0 lead as he swatted a loose puck in the net. The Riders would hold onto their 2-0 lead as the Nitro's finished the period on a PP, and led in shots 15-12 that period.

3rd
The Dynamiters knew they had to score early to get back in the game, and just before the eight minute mark, Karpyshyn scored on the PP to bring the Nitro's within one. The Riders responded strongly and quickly with a PP goal of their own 62 seconds later by Peers. Moments later Colapaolo deked handsomely in close and brought the Nitro's within one again! But all the excited tension would quickly be deflated by Fernie's Saworski as he roofed a shot to make in 4-2. The Dynamiters would pull their goalie to try to claw back in, but Henderson managed the fort. Kimberley outshot the Riders 10-4 this period.

Both teams rest today and prepare for Game Three, now a Best-of-Five series, in Fernie at 7:30pm.

Photo by Jonathan Righton

Kimberley Dynamiters February Player of the Month: Brandt Bertoia

The Kimberley Dynamiters named Brandt Bertoia as their regular season February Player of the Month. In five games, Bertoia scored six goals and two assists, while be named the teams star of the game twice.

"In February he was our best player. He is arguably one of our best players since the Christmas break. He was a key factor in our win in Beaver Valley and the win before that. He's been excellent since Christmas." Said head coach and general manager Derek Stuart.

Bertoia said after receiving the award, that he didn't think he was the first choice: "It was an honour that could have gone to lots of other guys on the team"

Photo by Jonathan Righton

The Kimberley Dynamiters win Game One 8-3

There was a lot of build up heading into this fan favourite series. Most of the hype was about how close this series was going to be, Game One did not finish close.

Game Notes
Nitro's Roster: Risdon and Purdy. Osmar is suspended
Riders Roster: Huago, Pierce, Kingwell out with injury. Affiliate Beranek in the game.

1st Period
This was expected, penalties. The first penalty was called not even 2-minutes into the game against the Ghostriders. Kimberley's Van Steinburg, a defencemen, made them pay as he crashed the net and put home a rebound. Colapaolo looked to build on the lead with a breakaway, but was stopped by Henderson. The Riders Wilson scored his own PP goal to level the game. But the Dynamiters would finish the period up 2-1, as Karpyshyn fed Davies on a 2-on-1 break. Shots were 15-12 for Fernie, Campbell was holding his line.

2nd Period
The Riders tied the game at two, with a goal by Nemes, but this would be the closest the game would get. Nitro's POM B Bertoia quickly gave the Nitro's a 3-2 lead. Then the penalties continued to be called, which lead to a 4-on-4, and this is where the explosion happened. In the span of 1:09 the Dynamiters scored three goals: Langelaar's ecstatic effort, Karpyshyn finished a 2-on-0 with Miller, and Lassiter trailed the play to fire a shot in. All of a sudden it was 6-2 Kimberley. The Riders changed their goalie to Youngson. Nitro's outshot Fernie 13-6.

3rd Period

Nitro's Langelaar and Rider's Sincennes dropped the gloves at with 14 minutes left, avoiding an automatic 1-game suspension for their fight. The Riders did try to fight their way back as Traverse scored the teams third goal of the game, but Page and Van Steinburg gave the Dynamiters a commanding 8-3 win over the Riders. Shots in the period were 10-7 for Kimberley.

Campbell made 25 saves for his first KIJHL playoff win. B Bertoia was named the home star, however Karpyshyn and Davies each had three points (1G, 2A).

Game Two goes tonight at 7pm at the Kimberley Civic Centre.

Photos by Jonathan Righton

Kimberley Dynamiters begin their pursuit of third KIJHL final appearance in a row

The Kimberley Dynamiters open their seven-game playoff series against the Fernie Ghostriders tonight.

The Riders and Nitro’s are familiar opponents having played each other eight times during the regular season. The teams split the series 4-4, with both teams being 3-1 at home and 1-3 on the road. The Riders just edged the Dynamiters in scoring, 32-31.

Despite a 12-point difference in the standings in favor of the Nitro’s, this series is lining up to be one of the KIJHL’s most evenly matched first round series. Not to mention a fan favourite.

Both teams enter the playoffs after defeating the league leading Beaver Valley Nitehawks. Both are on winning streaks. Both teams have leading scorers that just passed the 50-point plateau, Chase Miller with 51 while Fernie’s Mitch Titus has 52. And both teams sport save percentages of 0.898. Just to name a few of the evenly matched statistics.

With all this excitement, head coach and general manager Derek Stuart knows that finding the motivation to play Fernie will come naturally.

“The motivation shouldn't be a problem at all. There are a few things that Fernie does really well that we need to be aware of and try to stop. There is not going to be any surprises come Friday, we need to play our game.”

Stuart knows that the teams are evenly matched, but added, “it is a new season starting now, we are 0-0 right now… Anything that happens in the regular season is out the window now.”

It is with the clean-slate mentality and confidence that the Dynamiters begin their pursuit of their third KIJHL final appearance in a row.

They start their pursuit tonight and tomorrow for games one and two at the Kimberley Civic Centre at 7p.m., before going to Fernie for games three and four on Monday and Tuesday and 7:30p.m.

MATCH STICKS: Garreth Osmar is suspended for two games and will return on Monday. The Ghostriders have three players listed as injured: Keegan Kingwell, Kevin Pierce, and Kyle Haugo.

Check it out in the Kimberley Bulletin/Cranbrook Townsman

2016-17 KIJHL Playoff Predictions

Trying to remove emotion from my picks, I will solely rely on the Power Rankings that I did yesterday to inform my 1st Round picks and playoff predictions. The numbers in brackets beside the teams are their power rank, and then the points in the power rank.

First Round
Beaver Valley Nitehawks (#2, 10) vs Grand Forks Border Bruins (#13, 55) - Nitehawks in 5 games
Castlegar Rebels (#9, 35) vs Nelson Leafs (#14, 57) - Rebels in 6 games
Creston Valley Thunder Cats (#3, 13) vs Columbia Valley Rockies (#19, 70) - Thunder Cats in 4 games
Kimberley Dynamiters (#7, 29) vs Fernie Ghostriders (#10, 37) - Dynamiters in 7 games

Osoyoos Coyotes (#1, 9) vs North Okanagan Knights (#16, 60) - Coyotes in 4 games
Summerland Steam (#5, 22) vs Kelowna Chiefs (#11, 40) - Summerland Steam in 6 games
Chase Heat (#4, 22) vs Revelstoke Grizzlies (#12, 49) - Heat in 6 games
100 Mile House Wranglers (#6, 25) vs Kamloops Storm (#8, 34) - Wranglers in 7 games

Series to watch in the first round
While all series will be worth watching, the Dynamiters vs Ghostriders and Wranglers vs Storm are statistically close matches.

Division Winners:
Beaver Valley Nitehawks
Creston Valley Thunder Cats
Osoyoos Coyotes
Chase Heat

Conference Winners:
Beaver Valley Nitehawks
Osoyoos Coyotes

League Winners:
Toss up between the Coyotes and Nitehawks, but given to Coyotes in 5 games. (remember the league finals and conference finals are 5 games)

Dark Horses (potential):
Defending league champions, 100 Mile House Wranglers showed their dominance in their own barn last year, and the same will ring true this run.
At the same time, the Kamloops Storm could be an upset team as well, as they come into the playoffs hot.
Summerland Steam, despite being cold coming into the playoffs have depth to make a run.
In the other conference, again the series to watch Dynamiters and Ghostriders are dark horses, but a true dark horse are the high flying Castlegar Rebels.
After naming 6 underdogs as potential disrupters, here are the True Dark Horses: 100 Mile House, Kamloops, Castlegar

Eddie Mountain Predictions versus Reality

Back in September I made predictions for how I thought the teams in the Eddie Mountain Division would perform.

From the moment I made the predictions, I was trolled, all in good fun - and not just by opposing teams, but locally as well. I will never forget early in the season when the Nitro's beat the Riders 5-3, and HC/GM Stuart said that the Nitro's did well against a team that some people predicted to win the division (awkward eye contact).

But to recap, here are the standings I predicted:

1. Fernie Ghostriders - They have a core that has built chemistry over years, I expect them to dominate.
2. Creston Valley Thunder Cats - They have a fantastic team on paper, individual talent seems to carry them, they need team play to advance. I expect (prove me wrong Cats) that they will have an implosion that will cost them 1st in the division. And who cares because they will play for the Cyclone Taylor Cup anyways.
3. Kimberley Dynamiters - New team, lots of potential. I expect them to peak after December playing their best hockey in January and February.
4. Columbia Valley Rockies - Similar to the Nitro's, and a repeat of last year, expect them to start turning heads in the New Year.
5. Golden Rockets - They will improve tremendously compared to last season, but not enough to make the playoffs this year. 

The actual standings:

1. Creston Valley Thunder Cats
2. Kimberley Dynamiters
3. Fernie Ghostriders
4. Columbia Valley Rockies
5. Golden Rockets

As we can see, I only got 2/5 right, and 1/4 of the playoffs spots right. I thought the Thunder Cats would implode during the regular season, but actually it was the Fernie Ghostriders rough start to the season that probably cost them first spot (and second).

Now if you read the fine print, the Dynamiters did peak in December, but January was their worst month, so I was wrong there.

I can and will admit I got them wrong, and that's the joy of making predictions - they are usually wrong, despite how well informed or justified they are.

KIJHL Power Rankings - February 21, 2017

It's the last KIJHL Power Rankings for the 2016-17 season to see which teams are heading into the playoffs hot or cold.

Teams that are statistically heading into the playoffs hot: Kamloops Storm and the Creston Valley Thunder Cats, improving 6 and 4 points respectively since the last power ranking.

Teams that are statistically colder heading into the playoffs since the last ranking: Grand Forks Border Bruins with -7 points and then Summerland Steam and Revelstoke Grizzlies tied at -5.

Taking the final first place is Osoyoos Coyotes with a one point lead over the Beaver Valley Nitehawks. The Creston Valley Thunder Cats are not far behind for third place.

Here is the full ranking, click to enlarge (teams that are italicized did not make the playoffs):

Kimberley Dynamiters win fifth in a row to end regular season

The Kimberley Dynamiters finished the 2016-17 season on a high note, clipping the Beaver Valley Nitehawks 6-3.

In early January, the Nitehawks embarrassed the Dynamiters 9-2 at the Memorial Arena in Cranbrook. The Dynamiters players took it upon themselves to recall that memory and bring it to forefront to show the Nitehawks who the Nitro’s truly are.

“We've got to show them that we are coming for them.” Forward, and Unity, SK native Brandt Bertoia said prior to the game, “We need to show them that [the 9-2 loss] wasn't us, they don't know the real us.”

The Nitro’s were quick to score, with Devon Langelaar scoring his seventh of the season, prior to the three-minute mark. The Dynamiters then dialed it up, with two more goals scored by James Farmer and Brandon Langridge, leaving the fans at the Fruitvale Arena shocked.

“We came out strong, our guys were ready to play.” Head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said.

In the second the Dynamiters kept pouring it on, as Brandt Bertoia would give the Nitro’s a commanding 4-0 lead. However, the ever dangerous Nitehawks clawed their way back into the game with three power play goals. Franco Colapaolo would score to keep the Nitehawks at bay, as the Nitro’s would end the middle period with a 5-3 lead.

In the last frame, Bertoia would score his second of the game to secure a 6-3 win over the league leading Beaver Valley Nitehawks; giving the Nitehawks their fifth loss of the season and ending their 16-game winning streak.

Campbell would turn aside 34 of 37 shots for his 14^th win of the season.

“We are really happy with how we are getting offensive contributions from a lot of different places.” Stuart said, “When you are resting players, it is comforting to know that you can get contributions from other guys. It is really a well-balanced attack that we have going right now.

“The players did a great job of utilizing our team speed [against Beaver Valley] in all areas of the game.”

The Dynamiters now enter the playoffs hot, winning their past five.

“We have confidence right now, we have won five in a row, just beat the best team in their rink, going into Friday I assume our players will be ready to go.”

Stuart added: “I'm a big believer that the playoffs are a brand-new season, anything that happens in the regular season is out the window now.”

The Dynamiters get ready to battle the Fernie Ghostriders, a fan favourite matchup, with game one on Friday at the Kimberley Civic Centre at 7 p.m.

Check it out in the Kimberley Bulletin/Cranbrook Townsman

Ktunaxa Hockey Program connects the past with the present

The Ktunaxa Hockey Program that started on Thanksgiving weekend in 2016, continues it's success, and has just named the captain of the program.

Connecting the past with the present, the last captain of the Windermere Elks, Pete Nicholas, personally passed on the captaincy 'C' to Jacob Beattie of the Ktunaxa Hockey Program.

Nicholas was the captain for the Elks during their last season in 1985-86. The Elks was an all Ktunaxa senior mens hockey team. With excitement, Nicholas passed on the captaincy. He was thrilled that the program is running and the good that it is doing for the children, teenagers, and community.

However, Nicholas cautioned that there is responsibility that comes with being the captain, that it is an honor to be named the leader of a team.

Beattie was surprised with the news and feels a lot of pressure that comes with the honor of being named the captain. He knows that he needs to make an effort to be a leader, example, and mentor on and off the ice for the players.

Beattie has a connection to local hockey. His grandpa, Jim Ratcliffe was a goalie for the Kimberley Dynamiters (and is pictured here in a 1966 team photo). He is also related to Scott Beattie, head coach and general manager for the Dynamiters during the 2005-08 seasons.

There was additional excitement at the Ktunaxa Hockey Program yesterday because the Hometown Hockey crew was in attendance.

Lead photo by Marie Laska.

It's Game Day! Kimberley Dynamiters at Beaver Valley Nitehawks

Kimberley Dynamiters	vs	Beaver Valley Nitehawks
32-13-0-1	Record	38-4-1-2
65	Points	79
2nd	Division Standing	1st
5th (4.46)	Offence (GFA)	2nd (4.73)
8th (3.00)	Defence (GAA)	1st (2.13)
0.896	Goaltending (SV%)	0.913
4th (22.69%)	Power Play	2nd (24.69%)
5th (85.28%)	Penalty Kill	2nd (87.44%)
6th	Power Ranking	2nd
W4	Streak	W16
6-4-0-0	Last 10	10-0-0-0
Chase Miller (19G-32A)	Top Scorer	Tyler Hartman (17G-33A)
James Farmer (11G-30A)	2nd Top Scorer	Dylan Heppler (18G-30A)
Nolan Kurylo (16G-19A)	3rd Top Scorer	Blake Sidoni (12G-21A)
Brandon Langridge (151)	PIM Leader	McKoy Hauck (135)

Bloggers Blurb - February 11 2017

We discuss KIJHL (un)official allstars and playoff predictions for the Eddie Mountain Division.

Kimberley Dynamiters 2016/17 Awards

On February 12 the Kimberley Dynamiters held their volunteer recognition and awards banquet at the Kimberley Conference Centre.

The following is the winner of each award.

Most Scholastic (sponsored by High Point Pulmbing and Heating): Harrison Risdon and Caige Sterzer

Most Improved Forward (sponsored by Players Bench): Brandt Bertoia

Most Improved Defenceman (sponsored by Players Bench): Lucas Purdy

Leading Scorer (sponsored by Remax Caldwell Angencies): Chase Miller

Most Sportsmanlike (sponsored by Western Financial Group): Devon Langelaar

Most Popular (sponsored by The Sullivan Pub): James Farmer

Band Aid Award (sponsored by Dr. Shaun VanZyl): James Rota

Unsung Hero (sponsored by Nitro's Night in Kimberley): Franco Colapaolo

Most Inspirational (sponsored by Chalet Cheverolet Olds): Ryan Hozjan

Rookie of the Year (sponsored by Grubstake Pizza): Chase Miller

Best Defenceman (sponsored by Mark Creek Market): George Bertoia

Most Valuable Player (sponsored by Melody Motors): George Bertoia

Coaches Awards: James Farmer and James Rota

20 Year Old Recognition: Ryan Hozjan, Franco Colapaolo, Cody Lassiter

Congratulations to all the players for their accomplishments this season.

All photos by Jodi L'Hereux

Kimberley Dynamiters keep rolling in February

The Dynamiters won their third and fourth games in a row this past weekend as they downed the Golden Rockets, followed by battle victory over the Spokane Braves. As Nolan Kurylo said last week, the Kimberley Dynamiters are righting the ship and coming in hot to the playoffs.

After a knotted first period against the Golden Rockets, Devon Langelaar opened the scoring after the midway point in the second. The Dynamiters restricted the Rockets to nine shots in 40 minutes, but the Rockets would fight back in the third.

Cody Campbell would make 19 saves on the game, as the Dynamiters would add three goals in the third by Nolan Kurylo, George Bertoia and Brandt Bertoia to win the game 4-0. Taking the season series 8-0 over the Rockets, and interestingly enough, shutting the Rockets out in the Golden Arena for all four matches, 240 of shut out hockey.

“The guys played really, really well defensively, it was a well spread out game.” Head coach and general manager said. “We limited their scoring chances, zone entrances, time in our zone. It was probably one of our most complete goals from goal line to goal line.”

Blanking Golden was a short-term goal for the Dynamiters, and they met their goal.

The next task was dealing with the Spokane Braves, an unfamiliar foe that they last met in October.

“It's tough for us. We haven't played them in a while. I think some of our guys just looked at the standings and took for granted how hard they work and how physically strong some of their players are.

“I think some of our guys thought that it was going to be point night. Therefore, we were doing things that we don't normally do.”

And one of those things that they overdid was fancy passing, trying to make the extra play. But the Nitro’s had a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes with a goal by Spokane product Nicholas Ketola. Plus they had fired an astounding 23 shots in the first period.

In the middle period, the Nitro’s staked themselves out a 3-0 lead as B. Bertoia would score on a breakaway and Nic Herringer deflected in a shot. But the Braves showed their tenacity, and responded back. An intense Joe Karpyshyn would score giving the Dynamiters a three-goal lead again, which didn’t last long as the Braves scored again. And this period would end with a score of 4-2.

The Dynamiters wouldn’t score again until their 60^th shot of the game, that’s correct sixty, when Brandt Bertoia would score his second of the game and third of the weekend.

“I feel like both those breakaways was really nice passes by the guys, I'm pretty lucky.” B. Bertoia said after the game, “I don't know if it is coincidence or not, but my parents are in the stands again. They make the trip, got to impress them a little bit.”

The final score would be 5-3 as the Braves would score in the final minute. Affiliate goaltender, Adam Andersen (’00), would make 22 saves for his second win of the season. The Dynamiters also dressed affiliate forward Braiden Koran (’01).

The Dynamiters now focus on playing their last game of the regular season on Friday in Fruitvale against the Beaver Valley Nitehawks before starting their first round of the playoffs against the Fernie Ghostriders on Friday February 24^th.

Photo by Jonathan Righton
Check it out in the Kimberley Bulletin/Cranbrook Townsman

It's Game Day! Kimberley Dynamiters vs Spokane Braves

Kimberley Dynamiters	vs	Spokane Braves
31-13-0-1	Record	8-35-0-1
63	Points	17
2nd	Division Standing	5th
5th (4.44)	Offence (GFA)	16th (2.77)
7th (3.00)	Defence (GAA)	20th (5.39)
0.897	Goaltending (SV%)	0.891
4th (22.71%)	Power Play	14th (15.32%)
5th (85.59%)	Penalty Kill	19th (76.54%)
6th	Power Ranking	17th
W3	Streak	L13
5-4-0-1	Last 10	0-10-0-0
Chase Miller (19G-31A)	Top Scorer	Carter Jones (25G-35A)
James Farmer (11G-29A)	2nd Top Scorer	Mason Jones (10G-29A)
Nolan Kurylo (16G-19A)	3rd Top Scorer	Luke Gallagher (12G-21A)
Brandon Langridge (145)	PIM Leader	Mason Jones (131)

It's Game Day! Kimberley Dynamiters at Golden Rockets

Kimberley Dynamiters	vs	Golden Rockets
30-13-0-1	Record	5-34-1-4
61	Points	15
2nd	Division Standing	5th
5th (4.45)	Offence (GFA)	20th (1.66)
8th (3.07)	Defence (GAA)	17th (4.39)
0.893	Goaltending (SV%)	0.897
4th (22.93%)	Power Play	19th (8.80%)
5th (85.45%)	Penalty Kill	10th (82.18%)
6th	Power Ranking	18th
W2	Streak	L10
5-4-0-1	Last 10	0-8-0-2
Chase Miller (19G-31A)	Top Scorer	Nic Lush (10G-6A)
James Farmer (11G-29A)	2nd Top Scorer	Austin Pultz (3G-13A)
Nolan Kurylo (15G-18A)	3rd Top Scorer	Kade Garritty (7G-7A)
Brandon Langridge (130)	PIM Leader	Nic Lush (91)

Kimberley Dynamiters play last home game this regular season

The Kimberley Dynamiters are preparing for their last home game of the season, but before that, they need to brave the highway to Golden.

The Golden Rockets (5-34-1-4) host the Nitro’s tonight for the eighth and final meeting of the season. The Dynamiters have dominated the season series winning all previous seven contests. Plus, they have outscored the Rockets 34-10, shutting out the Rockets four times. Interestingly, the Rockets have yet to score against the Nitro’s in the Golden Arena, and will surely be looking to end that streak.

Then the Dynamiters come home to the Kimberley Civic Centre for a match up on Saturday against the Spokane Braves (8-34-0-1). The Braves and Dynamiters have not played since October 22, 2016. The Dynamiters have won the previous two meetings by a score of 7-2 in Spokane and then 6-2 at home.

Both teams have changed considerably since their October meeting. Most notably the Braves traded leading scorer Paxton Malone to the Creston Valley Thunder Cats. However, the Braves are led by youth; Carter Jones (’99) leads the team in scoring with 25 goals and 60 points; Luke Gallagher (’00) is a solid defencemen with 33 points, and JJ Pichette (’99) is solid in net despite getting peppered every game.

Tonight’s game in Golden starts at 7:30 pm and can be watched a pay-per-view playfullscreen.com. Saturday’s game starts at 7:00 pm at the Civic Centre.

MATCH STICKS: Chase Miller, James Rota and Caige Sterzer have been removed off the injured list and could play this weekend. Harrison Risdon will sitting out due to his two-game kneeing suspension. The Dynamiters will open the first round of the playoffs against the Fernie Ghostriders on Friday February 24^th.

KIJHL (un-official) All-Star Team for the 2016-17 season

I polled over a dozen people (tweeters, bloggers, photographers, webcast crew, and reporters) from around the KIJHL and asked them to pick three forwards, two defensemen and one goalie from their conference. The result is three separate lines, sorted by most votes.

Few notes, most that participated are volunteers (therefore not professional), this is not official, and it does not include players from every team.

Congratulations to these players for standing out.

Line One

 

  Logan Styler (Castlegar)          Colin Bell (Osoyoos)        Michael Fidanza (Chase)

 

McKoy Hauck (Beaver Valley)        Daniel Stone (Osoyoos)

Tallon Karmer (Beaver Valley)

Line Two

  

Paxton Malone (Creston Valley)       Carter Jones (Spokane)       Brett Witala (Kelowna)          

 

Garrett Ewart (Kamloops)      Austin Steger (Osoyoos)

Liam Aitken (Osoyoos)

Line Three

  

     Riley Pettit (Summerland)   Ryan Rooseboom (Osoyoos)   Tyler Hartman (Beaver Valley)

 

  Vince Bitoni (Castlegar)         Alex Cheveldave (Fernie)

Adam Jones (Osoyoos)

Honorable Mentions
These players received votes, but not enough to crack the top three lines (in no particular order).

• Kootenay Conference:
• Chase Miller, Kimberley
• Ed Lindsey, Castlegar
• John Moeller, Castlegar
• Nolan Kurylo, Kimberley
• Trey Mason, Grand Forks
• Daniel Petten, Castlegar
• McConnel Kimmet, Creston Valley
• Devon Langelaar, Kimberley
• Derek Green, Fernie
• Brock Lefebvre, Creston Valley
• Okanagan/Shushwap Conference
• Wyatt Gale, Summerland
• Judd Repole, Osoyoos
• Joel Scrimbit, Kelowna
• Nic Bruyere, Chase
• Tanner Marshall, Kelowna