Kimberley Dynamitres lose and win big as they split weekend road games

After a three game home stand, the Kimberley Dynamiters hopped over the division line going over the Salmo-Creston pass to play in Castlegar, and then crossed the national border for a date in Spokane against the Braves.

The Nitro's were short handed six regulars all road trip, due to illness, injuries and suspensions.

The road trip started out well for the Nitro's, as head coach and general manager Derek Stuart reported that his team actually outshot the Castlegar Rebels 12-6 in the first, not tied 5-5 as reported on the boxscore.

"We just didn't get the bounces." Stuart said. "In the first ten minutes we could have easily been up. We came out and dominated those first ten minutes. We didn't bear down on our chances.

The Dynamiters game began to snowball out of control after being down 1-0 in the first 20.

"After that, [Castlegar] got one and it snowballed from there. It snowballed, and we weren't able to stop it."

The Rebels scored two quick goals in the second period, and then the penalties began to mount.

The speedy Rebels would capitalize in the power play in the third, and then add another goal to blow the Nitro's out 5-0.

Adam Andersen came in for relief for Cody Campbell after the fourth goal. The two combined for 29 saves.

With the lineup shortages, the Nitro's dressed two affiliate players: Jackson Bohan ('01) and Erik Delaire ('01), both are from Cranbrook.

"They did really good. Castlegar is a really good team, and they both did well."

Needless to say, this was a game that the Dynamiters wanted to forget, and they wanted to bounce back against the Spokane Braves.

The Braves, however, had a different plan. On an early power play, the Braves took a 1-0 lead. Their goaltender turned aside the 21 shots fired at him that period. It's as if the Nitro's couldn't shake loose of the snowball created the night before.

In the second intermission, Stuart addressed the team.

"Part of our struggles may have been cockiness in the room, because we had our way with them the last time we were there.

"We had to remind them of how hard Spokane played a week ago, that they are good hockey club, and we need to step up our game and treat them like a good hockey club and respect them."

What was said in the dressing room, lit the Dynamiters fuse, they exploded with four goals in the second period. Brandt Bertoia, James Farmer and Langridge led the charge, by the end of the game, that line would tally nine points.

Bertoia opened the scoring on a break away goal, a play that Stuart says is a setup play. Then the Nitro's began firing in power play goal after power play goal. Chase Gedny, then Farmer, and then Nicholas Ketola. It was all of a sudden 4-1 for the Nitro's after two periods.

Bertoia and Farmer would score their second goals each in the third, and then Austin Lawson would give the Nitro's a commanding 7-1 lead over the Braves.

"Aside from the first, we were excellent in Spokane. In the second and third period was they way that we are capable of playing, and everyone stepped their game up. Everyone played we needed them to play."

Campbell made 31 saves in a rebound effort from the game prior.

"We planned on starting Campbell both games before we left. I think it is time for him to start playing more as the starter."

The Dynamiters finish October with a 7-2 record, and have a nine point lead in the division while sitting tied with the Nelson Leafs for top spot in the KIJHL.

Lead photo by Frank Guill Photography

Webcast Interview with head coach and general manager Derek Stuart

It's Game Day! Kimberley Dynamiters at Spokane Braves

Bloggers Blurb, October 20, 2017 - Eddie Mountain & Neil Murdoch predictions

It's Game Day! Kimberley Dynamiters at Castlegar Rebels

Webcast Interview with Kimberley Dynamiters Mason Palaga

Kimberley Dynamiters September Player of the Month: Cody Campbell

The Kimberley Dynamiters named Cody Campbell as their September Player of the Month.

"It's pretty cool." Campbell said "But it doesn't happen without the team in front of me playing so well. I don't get this kind of recognition without the guys in front of me playing so well."

Head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said, “Cody is very deserving of this recognition for the month of September.

"He went 4-0 including a 42 save performance in Beaver Valley in his first game back with the team. He’s the best goalie in our conference and he continues to prove it every night”

Campbell won all four of the games he started in, turning away 123 of the 131 shots he faced, including one shutout.

"My personal numbers are not just a reflection of me, but also the team in front of me." Campbell added.

Campbell joined the Kimberley Dynamiters a couple of games into September after finishing a tryout at the Junior A level in Alberta.

"It means a lot to me thought that the coaching staff found that kind of value with only playing a few games. It is exciting that they want to recognize me."

For Campbell, he said the highlight of the previous month was how closely knit the team is compared to last year.

"What stood out the most is how cohesive the team is. We are already working together as a unit, not just on the ice but off the ice. It just shows that we are prepared as a group."

Overall, Campbell is just excited about the potential this season.

"We have a really special group. We have a real opportunity to do something special this year."

Photo by Jonathan Righton

The Kimberley Dynamiters remain undefeated at home

The Kimberley Dynamiters played three home games in a row last weekend, as they looked to keep their undefeated home record intact.

The Nitro's home-stand against the Neil Murdoch division leaders, the Nelson Leafs. The Leafs are lead by former Dynamiters, Sawyer Hunt, who is now finishing his junior career captaining his hometown team.

From the start of the game, it felt like it was a playoff game, if not even a teaser of a potential Kootenay Conference final.

"It felt like a playoff game in the room and on the bench," head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said. "It was a good matchup of two of the better teams in our conference. It looked like a playoff style game."

The Dynamiters league leading power play got them an early 1-0 lead, thanks to Chase Gedny, at the midway point of the first.

From that point on it was a deadlock game, as every centimeter of the ice was highly contested.

Just as the 527 fans in attendance thought the Nitro's would skate away with a 1-0 victory, the Nelson Leafs scored with just under five minutes left.

This game was headed to over time. The first over time period was four-on-four.

The Leafs were penalized with 15 seconds left in the first over time period. The Nitro's had a great opportunity with a faceoff in the attacking zone. Faceoff was won, but they went offside, and eight seconds remained on the clock.

Plans were being made for the second over time period. Nitro's won the faceoff, and with four seconds left on the clock Matt Davies rushed the net, taking a shot, a rebound was left and Devon Langelaar banged home the rebound milli-seconds before the buzzer went.

The Dynamiters won 2-1 in overtime!

"They didn't give up." Stuart said of Davies and Langelaar. "It was very impressive to see them press right until the buzzer."

Nitro's September player of the month Cody Campbell made 24 saves in his sixth win of the season.

"Campbell was excellent, and so was Williams for Nelson." Stuart said. "It was a goaltenders battle. That was Campbell's best game of the year so far."

Next up was the shortened-bench Spokane Braves. The Braves iced 13 skaters, plus their starting and backup goaltender.

The 484 fans, and even the Nitro's were surprised, yet impressed, with how the Braves played, keeping the first 20 minutes scoreless.

"Credit to them, the Braves were outstanding." Stuart said. "They worked really hard and battled with 13 skaters."

Gedny scored his second goal of the weekend early in the second, but the Braves responded right back. After 40 minutes, it was a tie, but the Nitro's were leading in shots 32-18.

Stuart was pleased with the Nitro's play, "We had plenty of prime scoring chances, but their goalie was just made some unbelievable saves."

In the third, the Nitro's began to pull away from the Braves. Nicholas Ketoa, who always ups his game against his hometown team, gave the Nitro's the lead. Then Davies made it a two goal lead with a power play goal.

Adam Andersen would make 19 saves for his fourth win of the season.

"It was a battle, and a hard earned victory"

The third game of the homestand was against the Golden Rockets. Before the puck dropped, the team honored and recognized the contribution of the parents of the players - with the players giving their mom's roses.

"Its nice before and after games to go visit with them" Brandon Langridge said about having his parents at the game. "But our main focus didn't change."

The Nitro's were geared and ready to impress their parents as 12 different players would register a point.

"We got back to focusing on our actions, instead of results," Stuart said.

Brandt Bertoia and Brant Mack would open the scoring in the first, with each of them getting a goal.

The Dynamiters then exploded for three goals in the middle period, as Ketola, Cam Russell and Brock Palmer would each score. It was 5-0 after the first, the shots were onesided as well, 31-16.

Ketola and Palmer would increase the lead to 7-0.

It was at the four minutes left mark that drew a lot of attention. Palmer was hit, and teammates Davies, Ketola and Lucas Chilton came to his aid. In that moment, six game misconducts were handed out to go along with 82 minutes worth of penalties.

"I'm not too upset that Davies did what he did. When something like that happens, it was good to see the team stand up for each other."

As of right now, Ketola was given a one-game suspension because of the time of his game misconduct, and Davies is suspended two games for fighting and the game misconduct.

With the three wins the past weekend the Dynamiters now improve to 7-0 at home, and have now won five straight.

Stuart credits short shifts and the crowd for the teams success over the three games. "The crowd definitely helped. They were a big influence on the players."

Langridge agreed, "With all the parents and the fans in the crowd it made it a lot easier."

It is interesting to note, that the Nitro's continue to play without two key defenders, Mason Palaga and captain Brett Roberts.

"There is something to be said for opportunities." Stuart says. "To see our depth as good as it is this early is a good surprise. It is very encouraging for down the line since the players are showing us that they can play."

The Dynamiters now prepare for a road swing visiting Castlegar and Spokane.

Lead photo by Jonathan Righton

It's Game Day! Kimberley Dynamiters vs Golden Rockets

Kimberley Dynamiters controversial OT winning goal against Nelson Leafs. You be the judge.

As the first OT period came to an end against the Nelson Leafs, Matt Davies bursts in with just over four seconds left, his shot is stopped and Devon Langelaar bangs home the rebound. The goal was awarded just before the buzzer sounded, you be the judge.

It's Game Day! Kimberley Dynamiters vs Spokane Braves

It's Game Day! Kimberley Dynamiters vs Nelson Leafs

KIJHL Clutch Scorers October 19, 2017

It's time for the first KIJHL Clutch Scoring list of the 2017-18 season.

The goal of this stats analysis is to capture the moments when a player contributes in a clutch manner, such as scoring the game winning goal, or assisting on a short handed goal.

Power play goals, short handed goals, and game winning goals are worth two points. Power play assists, and short handed assists are one point. Add the total together and we get an understanding of who in the KIJHL is scoring at clutch times.

Birth years are included just so we can see the age diversity.

Here are a couple highlights:

• Jordan Robertson of the Border Bruins is on top of the list, and a slight lead over Nitehawks Dylan Heppler
• Reese Tambellini from the Border Bruins and Cody Flann from the Grizzlies are the youngest players on the list, both born in 2000.
• Since this is the Kimberley Dynamiters blog, two players made the list, Brock Palmer and James Farmer.
• You will notice that the clutch scoring doesn't completely line up league scoring.

Congratulations to Robertson and Heppler for taking the 1-2 spots to start the season.

Here is the full list, click to make larger.

Webcast Interview with Kimberley Dynamiters assistant coach Jeff Keiver

The Kimberley Dynamiters score big, winning both weekend games

The Kimberley Dynamiters had an explosive weekend, scoring 15 goals enroute to a 7-2 win over the Grand Forks Border Bruins, and an 8-5 win over the Golden Rockets. At the centre of the offensive outburst was Brock Palmer, as he figured in on eight of the goals.

Before the game on Friday, captain Brett Roberts said that the Nitro's were looking for revenge against the Border Bruins after losing in Grand Forks the Saturday before.

Nicholas Ketola led the Dynamiters to an explosive opening period, after the emotion of the $7.5 Million donation commitment announcement. He scored two goals within three minutes. Brandt Bertoia, Chase Gedny, and Luke Recchi then added a goal each. After 20 minutes, the Nitro's had scored five goals on just 12 shots.

"The first period was one of our best." Said head coach and general manager Derek Stuart, "The first period was outstanding."

It continued to be amazing, as Derian Bamber and James Farmer added the teams sixth and seventh goals. And then it went downhill for the remaining time of the second and third.

"It just went ugly from there. Not exciting at all, pretty boring actually." Stuart said, "I thought our guys took their foot off the gas.

"To see such a decline in effort in the second, and the care and the attention to detail. I know it is hard when you are up."

The Border Bruins were able to score two goals past the stagnant Nitro's, but the Nitro's still won 7-2, with Cody Campbell making 16 saves for the win.

Attention then turned to the match in Golden.

While Palmer earned three assists against the Border Bruins, it was in Golden were he lit it up. He opened the scoring on a power play goal. But then Golden returned fire, scoring a power play goal. They then took a 2-1 lead over the Nitro's. Farmer quickly erased the lead tying the game at two, and then Cam Russell helped the Nitro's escape the first with a 3-2 lead.

In the second period, it was all Palmer, he scored two goals, including his hattrick goal, boosting the Dynamiters to a 5-2 lead.

"They changed up the lines and we gelled really good." Palmer said of his linemates Russell and Matt Davies.

In the third period, the Nitro's took their foot off of the gas, and got to within one.

"The guys built up a lead and then fell asleep," Stuart said "and took their foot off the gas in the third."

The Nitro's got a jolt when they were on the power play, and Palmer scored his fourth goal of the game. Bertoia would then score in the final minute giving the Dynamiters an 8-5 win over the Golden Rockets.

Adam Andersen turned aside 36 of the 41 shots he faced.

Looking back on the past two games Stuart felt his team needs to be able to play a full 60 minutes, even when they have such a large lead.

"It is tough to keep going when you are up by that many goals. We need to figure out a way to keep going."

But overall, he was pleased with how the team performed, especially against Golden, as six regulars were out of the lineup due to school, injury, and flu.

This allowed local affiliate player Braiden Koran to be in the lineup.

"Koran was really good," Stuart said, "he was one of our best players. We have no doubts that he can play, we just couldn't get him the minutes to develop. We are excited to have him as an affiliate."

Another player benefiting from the extra ice-time is Moyie defender Lucas Chilton. He didn't register a point, but he played excellently in his own end.

"Chilton was impressive, he was very good. He has been our best defenceman the past four games, and this month."

As for Palmer, his eight point weekend has catapulted him into the KIJHL's top 10 scorers, albeit, just one point ahead of linemate Davies. He sits tied for fifth with 18 points in 10 games.

Palmer said he was not expecting to be in the leagues top scoring, but added that he knows he needs to contribute offensively, "I'm more of an offensive player than anything else. If I am not contributing offensively, I am not contributing at all."

Palmer is on the shorter side, but he hasn't let that get in the way of him contributing.

"Lots of the bigger guys, that people think I should be scared of, are too slow." Palmer said, "I like playing against the bigger ways because you can deke them out in different ways."

Stuart added, "Our concerns about how he will do against bigger teams in smaller arena's are long gone now. He has proven himself more than capable."

After such an explosive weekend, the Dynamiters now prepare themselves for a three-game home-stand starting Thursday against the Nelson Leafs at the Kimberley Civic Centre.

Photo by Jonathan Righton

Bloggers Blurb October 13, 2017: KIJHL Power Rankings, Mike Gould's $7.5M gift, Fernie Ghostriders donation

Kimberley man donates $7.5 Million to Kimberley Hockey

Prior to the opening faceoff on October 13’s game against the Grand Forks Border Bruins, the Kimberley Dynamiters welcomed Mike Gould to the ice-surface for an announcement. The ‘average-joe’ Gould announced his commitment to donate $7.5 Million to hockey in Kimberley including the Kimberley Dynamiters.

With emotion, Gould waved to the 700 in attendance as they stood and applauded his unexpected, yet amazing donation to the community.

“It’s a gift,” Gould said “a gift to the community. A way for me to give back to the community, and team, that I loved growing up.”

Gould said that while he did not wear a Dynamiters jersey, that he played minor hockey in Kimberley, and that it helped shape him into the person he has become. He also added that hockey-blood runs in his family.

On the receiving end of the donation, Dynamiters president James Leroux, said that the gift is overwhelming, but exciting.

Leroux said that the donation is not just for the Dynamiters and that it is for all of hockey in Kimberley, but that at this point the Dynamiters will be managing the gift.

Gould is aware of the rising expenses towards families to be able to play hockey, and he wants to see hockey in Kimberley become more affordable and accessible, so that other children can get the same experience he did.

Leroux can see the immediate benefit of supporting local hockey, he hopes to see minor hockey registration double, which will then double the amount of local talent on the Dynamiters roster.

The Dynamiters are also in need of a bus, and Gould wants to see the team buy a bus. But that the bus also be available, when not is use by the Nitro’s, to minor hockey. Gould and Leroux both said they could just see the joy that the minor hockey players will have riding on the Kimberley Dynamiters bus.

Leroux added that despite the awe-inspiring donation, it is business as usual for the Nitro’s. They want to see the funds be sustained for several decades, noting that the operating costs for the Dynamiters is close to $500,000 a year and that if the board took their foot off the gas, the funds would quickly be gone.

As for Gould, he is thrilled to be able to share his good-fortune with the community, and felt that this

was the right way to show the start of his commitment to supporting Kimberley.

Photos by Jonathan Righton

It's Game Day! Kimberley Dynamiters at Golden Rockets

It's Game Day! Kimberley Dynamiters vs Grand Forks Border Bruins

(Click to enlarge)

Getting to Know James Rota

Get to know the forward turned defender turned forward James Rota. Interview happened on September 30.

Kimberley Dynamiters looking forward to rematch at home against Border Bruins.

The Kimberley Dynamiters are eagerly looking forward to their rematch this weekend against the Grand Forks Border Bruins (8-3-0-0).

Last Saturday the Border Bruins downed the Nitro's 4-2 in Grand Forks, and Friday is the rematch at Kimberley's Civic Centre.

"It's a pretty important game." Said Dynamiters captain Brett Roberts. "It is a bounce back game for us. Hopefully we can use our speed in our home rink on the big ice, and have a better outcome this time."

Roberts was not in the lineup against the Border Bruins due to blocking a shot the game prior in Spokane. He is eager to get back in the lineup.

"Any time we lose this year we are going to take in personally. The message that we are sending in the room is that losing is not going to be acceptable."

At home the Dynamiters have treated the fans well, winning all three home games. They will be up to the task against the league leading Border Bruins.

"There is a little bad blood with Grand Forks as well, it will be a good game."

After Friday's home game, the Nitro's take to the road and travel north to Golden to play the Rockets (1-8-1-0). The Nitro's escaped a second period scare last time they played Golden, leaving with a 5-2 win.

Roberts says that the team needs to focus to prevent a mental lapse, like what happened last time.

"As a leadership group we have to send the message that we need be focused before the game and play a full 60 minutes. Any team can win any night, w can't let our foot off the gas."

Opening faceoff against the Border Bruins is 7:30 at the Civic Centre, and then Saturday is 7:30 at the Golden Arena.

Clustered scoring leads Kimberley Dynamiters to one win and one loss over the Thanksgiving weekend

The Kimberley Dynamiters split their weekend road games, winning 7-2 against the Spokane Braves and losing 4-2 to the Grand Forks Border Bruins.

The Dynamiters arrived 45 minutes later than they would have liked in Spokane, but despite the delay, they were ready to play and played hard said head coach and general manager Derek Stuart.

A mere two minutes into the game, the Nitro's Brock Palmer got their first goal of the game on their first shot of the game. The Braves returned the favor scoring on a breakaway goal, their first shot of the game.

"For a goaltender it is not the ideal situation to have a clear cut breakaway as your first shot on net." Stuart said. "Andersen settled in and shook that off. He calmed down and was totally solid the rest of the way."

Matt Davies would then add two goals in three minutes, with the help of his linemates, Palmer and Nick Ketola.

"I thought we did a good job being first to pucks in their zone and all lines did a really good job moving the puck around." Davies said "That gave us a lot of puck possession which I think was a big part of our success."

As for Ketola, he had three assists in the first period. Playing in Spokane is always a boost for Ketola, because his hometown Mead, Washington, is just north of Spokane.

"It's always good to go home and play in front of family." Ketola said. "Also playing in that rink for so long when I was younger just gives me some comfort on the ice."

The Nitro's finished the first with a 3-1 lead firing an astounding 24 shots.

The second period was a lull, like the eye of a storm, as penalties slowed the pace of the game. As a result, there was no scoring.

The Braves scored 30 seconds into the third cutting into the Nitro's lead. But then the Nitro's poured it on, scoring four more goals, including three power play goals.

"It was our first game using that formation and those units." said Staurt. "In the third they started shooting more instead of looking for the perfect pass."

The benefactors of the shooting were James Farmer, scoring twice, Brandt Bertoia and Brandon Langridge.

The Dynamiters won the game 7-2, and lead in shots 60 to 28. Adam Andersen made 26 saves to earn his second win of the season.

The Nitro's then traveled to Grand Forks to play the Border Bruins. Like in the game against Spokane, it was clustered scoring that would define the game.

The first period was scoreless. It was the second period that cost the Nitro's. The Border Bruins scored three goals in the span of seven minutes.

"We had a ten minute lapse, in terms of mistakes, turnovers, odd man rushes." Stuart said. "That would be ten minutes that we would like to forget. They got three goals in ten minutes, and that was the game."

The Nitro's would add two goals, by Ketola and Chase Gedny, in the third, but it wasn't enough to mount a comeback as the Border Bruins added an empty net goal to seal their 4-2 victory, handing the Nitro's their second loss of the season.

Cody Campbell was in net, and made 27 saves in his first loss of the season.

For Stuart, he felt there was one reason the Nitro's didn't perform well, "Biggest problem was not getting enough bodies on net. We got a lot of shots, but not enough with traffic."

Ketola added, "I think we weren't ready to battle in that game and they came out harder and won more puck battles than us."

The bus ride home from Grand Forks was quiet, Stuart said, as he and the players knew that they didn't perform as well as they could have.

"I felt that we played really soft and timid against Grand Forks." Davies said, "Seemed like we let them dictate the play."

Davies scored two goals and three assists during the weekend, and now leads the Nitro's in scoring with 12 points.

"Honestly it doesn't mean much to me at this point in the season." Davies said. "Obviously it's nice to be able to help out on the score sheet.

"But we got a lot of different guys contributing every night which is which is a big part of the early success we've been able to have."

The Nitro's now look to make up for the road loss against the Border Bruins this Friday as they host Grand Forks at the Kimberley Civic Centre.

Getting to Know Brant Mack

Get to know Kimberley Dynamiters forward Brant Mack. This was recorded on September 8 during the Nitro's home opener.

It's Game Day! Kimberley Dynamiters at Grand Forks Border Bruins

Kimberley Dynamiters	vs	Grand Forks Border Bruins
7-1-0-0	Record	6-3-0-1
14	Points	13
1st	Division Standing	T-1st
4-1-0-0	Home/Away	5-1-0-0
4.50	Offence (GFA)	4.20
2.25	Defence (GAA)	2.90
0.923	Goaltending (SV%)	0.922
20.37	Power Play	25.93
90.74	Penalty Kill	84.21
2nd	Power Ranking	6th
W4	Streak	W1
7-1-0-0	Last 10	6-3-0-1
Matt Davies (5G-6A)	Top Scorer	Jordan Robertson (6G-17A)
Brock Palmer (5G-5A)	2nd Top Scorer	Trey Mason (6G-14A)
James Farmer (5G-4A)	3rd Top Scorer	Evan Loura (5G-6A)

Cody Campbell (4.93)

Top GSAA

Knute Loe (4.59)

Matt Davies (38)

PIM Leader

Hunter Harrison (60)

It's Game Day! Kimberley Dynamiters at Spokane Braves

Kimberley Dynamiters	vs	Spokane Braves
6-1-0-0	Record	3-3-1-2
12	Points	9
1st	Division Standing	T-3rd
3-1-0-0	Home/Away	2-2-1-0
4.14	Offence (GFA)	2.78
2.29	Defence (GAA)	4.00
0.922	Goaltending (SV%)	0.915
18.18	Power Play	5.08
91.84	Penalty Kill	88.71
2nd	Power Ranking	13th
W3	Streak	L1
6-1-0-0	Last 10	3-3-1-2
Brock Palmer (4G-3A)	Top Scorer	Paxton Malone (6G-5A)
Matt Davies (3G-4A)	2nd Top Scorer	Trail Thompson (5G-4A)
Chase Gedny (3G-3A)	3rd Top Scorer	Dawson Tritt (3G-6A)

Cody Campbell (4.87)

Top GSAA

Trevor Dilauro (4.25)

Matt Davies (38)

PIM Leader

Andrew Clark (24)

Getting to Know Brett Roberts

Brett Roberts was just named the captain of the Kimberley Dynamiters on Monday night, this interview was from the Friday before. A great chance to get to know the new captain.

The Kimberley Dynamiters name Brett Roberts as captain

On the night of October 2nd, the Kimberley Dynamiters announced their player leadership. Brett Roberts was named the captain with James Farmer and Nick Ketola named as regular assistants. Mason Palaga and James Rota will be rotating the third assistant role, Palaga will wear the 'A' on white jersey's and Rota on black.

Roberts was pleasantly surprised with being named the teams captain, but is aware of the challenge that it brings.

"It's a big honor. It's a big responsibility. It's really exciting." Roberts said.

Roberts is a new face to the team this year, even though the Dynamiters have held his Junior B rights since the summer of 2016.

He played last season as a rookie with the Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL) posting four goals and three assists in 38 games. The season prior, he played his rookie KIJHL season with conference rivals, the Beaver Valley Nitehawks. That year he played in 36 games scoring nine goals and 11 assists.

This is the first time in Roberts junior career that he is not a rookie, and now he is given the role of captain by his teammates who voted for him.

"It was a surprise, because there are guys who have been here 2-3 years." Roberts said, "we have a really good leadership group, so it makes it really easy."

He also added that his leadership style is building a relationship with the individual players.

"I'm not going to be out there yelling and screaming. I am pretty laid back.

"I like to lead by example. Help guys with tips that I have learned over the years. Try to make sure everyone is feeling good. I'm in the room always being positive, keeping guys accountable."

Head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said that Roberts has been impressive sine camp started.

"Our coaching staff strongly believes the most important trait of a captain is to consistently lead by example. Since day one of Main Camp Brett has been our hardest working player in practices and games.

"Through his actions Brett has made it very clear to his coaches and teammates that the team's success is his first priority."

The newly minted captain is looking forward to getting back on the ice with the team this weekend since missing games since September 22. On Friday the Nitro's travel to Spokane to faceoff against the Braves, and Saturday they play the Border Bruins in Grand Forks.

My son steals the Kimberley Dynamiters webcast post-game show

I always enjoy volunteering with the Dynamiters, regardless of the role. This past weekend I was asked to help do colour commentating on September 30, in the game against Golden (I learned that I enjoyed colour commentating at the 2017 Cyclone Taylor Cup).

My children typically come with me to the games and hang out with their friends. This time, when the game ended and I was still unavailable because I was doing the post-game show with Jim, my son got a little impatient.... and this is what it looked like:

KIJHL Power Rankings - September 2017

It's always fun to calculate the KIJHL Power Rankings, especially the first one of the season, helps me get into the KI zone.

For those that are new to following or reading the Power Rankings, let me explain what it is. The goal is to rank four categories: offence, defence, special teams, and goaltending; and then rank the total of each placing in each category. The lower the number, the better. The closer to 4 points, the more that team is functioning to league perfection - meaning they rank 1st in offence, defence, special teams, and goaltending (1+1+1+1=4). The closer to 80, well, I think you get the gist.

Offence is ranked by the teams goals forced average.

Defence is ranked by the teams goals against average.

Special Teams is ranked by doing the Scotty Bowman efficiency calculation, which is adding power play percent and penalty kill percent together.

Goaltending is ranked by calculating the teams current goaltenders save percentage.

Total is adding the placing of each rank, and then ordered from lowest to highest to reveal the KIJHL Power Rankings!

Yes, it is only the first month and these numbers will change drastically throughout the season.

So without further jabbering, here are the rankings (showing the GFA, GAA, PP+PK, and SV% just in case you doubt my work, I am human and do make mistakes)

Kimberley Dynamiters finish September on a high note

The Kimberley Dynamiters continue to have success with weekend wins over the Castlegar Rebels and Golden Rockets, giving themselves a record of 7-1 for the month of September.

The Dynamiters earned their sixth win on Friday against the Castelgar Rebels, a game that head coach and general manager Derek Stuart felt should have been won in the first period, saying that it was the teams best first period this season because they did everything right!

Nitro's fired an astounding 20 shots in the first period, to the Rebels 6, but only Chase Gedney was able to beat Rebels acrobatic goaltender Curt Doyle.

The Nitro's built themselves a 2-0 lead as defender Derian Bamber scored his first KIJHL goal. After that, the Rebels rebounded, outshooting the Nitro's 17-11, and adding one of their own goals. Keeper Cody "Soup" Campbell kept the Nitro's in the game.

"In the second period, Campbell made some very good saves to keep the game close, especially on their power play." Staurt said after the game.

Langelaar would score on the power play early in the third to give the Nitro's their third goal, and the eventual game winner, as the Rebels added one more of their own.

Campbell would finish the night with 30 saves, while star of the game Gedney figured in on all three goals, adding two assists to the opening goal.

"Gedney was real good." Staurt said, "he has a real knack for scoring goals. He is the closest we have to a pure goal-scorer. He surprised the goaltender with his shot."

Campbell would return to net on Saturday, playing back to back. The reason, Campbell has Golden's number. He has played three career games against Golden, and in each one, he has earned a shutout; he was clearly looking to make it four shutouts.

To start the game, the Nitro's looked flat as the Rockets clogged the ice surface. Brock Palmer scored on the power play to help the Nitro's escape a bad period with a 1-0 lead.

"I think everyone was a little over confident going into the game, knowing the fact that we beat them the game before." Palmer said. "I just tried to keep the mindset to come out hard and give it all I got to help the team get the victory."

Teammate Brant Mack echoed the same message, "We expected to win effortlessly and that was definitely was not the case."

Palmer would add his second goal of the game early in the second, it was his first multi-goal night in the KIJHL. "It was awesome, it felt so good." Palmer smiled, "trying to get the hattrick was on my mind, but it was awesome to get the two."

The players and the coaching staff were aware that their performance through the first 40 minutes was nowhere near where their performance level.

Then inn a span of eight seconds in the third, the Nitro's showed what their performance potential was, especially the effective line of Mack, Lucas Purdy and Austin Lawson. Lawson scored with help from Mack just after a power play expired, and then Mack scored eight seconds later with help from Lawson.

"The turning point in the game was when Lawson and I scored those two goals back to back." Mack said after the game. He was a man on a mission throughout the game, and was being rewarded for his play.

Mack would later pressure the Rocket's goalie and create a turnover scoring a short handed goal and giving the Nitro's a 5-0 lead.

"It always feels good to have hard work pay off with a few points" Mack said "Especially when we are playing at home in front of all our fans."

When all was said and done, Campbell earned his fourth career shutout in his fourth career game against Golden, making 20 saves.

Despite the lopsided score, head coach and general manager Staurt said that the team was awful, and that they received a victory even though the didn't earn it.

However, he is overall pleased with the team because the 7-1 record is similar to the start the Nitro's had last season, and it also matches the start the 2014-15 Championship Dynamiters had.

AROUND THE EDDIE: Columbia Valley Rockies would skate to a 4-4 draw against the Creston Valley Thunder Cats, and then follow that up with a 5-4 OT win over Spokane Braves. The Cats would then go on and loose 3-2 to the Nelson Leafs. Fernie Ghostriders won both their weekend games, 6-4 over Beaver Valley Nitehawks, and 4-3 over Castlegar Rebels. The Rockets lost their Friday match 3-1 to the Braves.