Devon Langelaar commits to University of Arizona Wildcats

Kimberley Dynamiters Devon Langelaar has committed to the University of Arizona Wildcats for the upcoming season.

"Devon is very deserving of this commitment." Nitro's head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said. "Since his arrival in Kimberley he has improved immensely. This season he was one of the top D in our conference and a crucial part of us winning the Championship"

Langelaar played three years with the Nitro's after being acquired from the Osoyoos Coyotes to start the 2015-16 season. In that time the defender scored 14 goals and 41 assists in 123 games. He also represented the Nitro's in 57 playoff games, accumulating two goals and 16 assists.

The Red Deer native has accomplished a lot in his three years. He reached the KIJHL finals in 2016. Received the teams Most Sportsmanlike Award in 2017 and Best Defencemen Award in 2018. Most recently he held the KIJHL trophy over his head, and brought home bronze from the 2018 Cyclone Taylor Cup.

"It feels great, to know the hard work I've put in over the last three years is going to pay off." Langelaar said. "Playing for the Dynamiters the last three years has helped me mature not only as a hockey player but as a person and I think that will really be able to help me through the next four years of college"

Wildcats coach Chad Berman is excited about adding Langelaar to the team.

"Adding Devon is a huge get for us," Berman to the Wildcats hockey media. "With a good summer of work, he has a chance to immediately step in as 'top 2' defensemen and should provide an immediate boost to our power play.

"He is a great skater that attacks two on one’s really well and understands how to use his feet to create shooting lanes. Not to mention, he is another kid coming from a winning program, those kinds of players understand what it takes to be successful."

Langelaar is just excited that he will continue to play hockey after his junior career ended. "It's a pretty cool feeling, I get to keep playing a sport I love and get a top notch education is a bonus."

Review of the 2017-18 Kimberley Dynamiters Season

To say the Kimberley Dynamiters 2017-18 season was a success, would be an understatement. They were the Eddie Mountain Division, Kootenay Conference, and KIJHL Regular Season Champions, and then went on to be the Eddie Mountain Division, Kootenay Conference, and KIJHL Playoff Champions. Following it all up with a Bronze Medal win at the Cyclone Taylor Cup for a cherry on top.

Head coach and general manager Derek Stuart took some time to reflect on a season for the history books.

The regular season started with high expectations, as the Dynamiters had several returning players.

"At the start of the year, we knew we had a really good team."

The Dynamiters started the season with a bang, going 6-1 to start the season in September.

In October the Eddie Mountain Division made national headlines, twice. The first was for the presentation for a commitment to donate $7.5 Million to Kimberley hockey. Stuart felt that the coaching staff was able to keep the team focused instead of following the subsequent headlines.

"As a coaching staff, as soon as it got announced, the next practice we talked about it with the guys, and said that until it shows up it is not real, there is no point talking about something that is not real.

"It was never brought up as a team. It never became a distraction where it was actually discussed. It didn't effect the players or how they played."

The second national headline for the Eddie Mountain Division was the ammonia tragedy that killed three people in Fernie. This event pierced through the shell that Stuart and the coaching staff had created to shield his team from news.

"It was something we needed to address with the players. It did affect us, one of our players on our team at the time, one of the people who died was his uncle. It affected us as a team and as a group.

"You hate to see that happen. When it happens to your rival that you are closest to, you feel bad. It sucks. You never wish that upon anybody.

"Once we discussed and talked about it, the guys respcted Fernie."

In November the Dynamiters tinkered with their roster. Cody Campbell and Derian Bamber had already joined the team. But this month saw the team acquire Nicholas Graham, Colby Sherlock, Bryce McDonald, and Ryan Kielty (actually acquired on December 1).

November 25, 2017. An ugly day for the Dynamiters, as they got hammered 8-1 at the hands of the Creston Valley Thunder Cats at the Civic Centre, accompanied by some suspensions.

"It was probably our turning point of the season. We realized, it was a reality check, that we are not as good as we think we are and other teams can beat us.

"We came together on the ice and didn't put up with the crap we were receiving.

"It could have been a really bad thing, but it ended up being the best thing that could have happened to us."

The Nitro's then went undefeated in December as the team geared up for the final push before the playoffs.

January brought Cooper Page and also another embarrassing loss to the Thunder Cats, losing 7-1, with it's own fair share of suspensions.

From that point on the Dynamiters finished the regular season with a 9-0 record, and prepared for their first round of the playoffs against the Fernie Ghostriders.

The regular season win percentage, .830, was the teams best in recent memory. Narrowly edging out the 2014-15 Dynamiters.

Looking back at the regular season, Stuart felt there were three confirmations that his team was going to have a successful season:

"The first time was when we started getting our core '98's back.

"The second time was when our rookies started being regular contributors. When Palmer, Gedny, and Russell started to contribute like they did, we thought 'hey, we might have something here'

"The last time was the additions we were able to make with McDonald, Graham, Sherlock and Page. To add those four '98's that were all veterans. They gave us their best. We thought 'hey, we can win this whole thing.'

"As a GM and coach, once you add those pieces and see those rookies be contributors, it starts to make you believe a little bit more."

The Dynamiters downed the Fernie Ghostriders and then the Columbia Valley Rockies in similar fashion; winning the first three, losing game four on the road, to then return home and finish the series off in five games.

The Kootenay Conference Finals was a different tale. It was the first time that the Dynamiters trailed in a series. Down 2-1 to the Nelson Leafs, the Nitro's would fight back, including a series clinching 2-1 overtime victory, advancing the team to the league finals for the third time in four years.

At no time did the Nitro's press the panic button.

"The guys did an outstanding job of staying focused. It made it easy on the coaches. There was great leadership in that dressing room; you are going to get that when you have 16 veterans. There was no point where we got over confident, or to the other end where we didn't think we could.

"It was an oustanding job by the players, managing and leading themselves."

In the league finals, the Nitro's went up against the Revelstoke Grizzlies. Both teams split the first four games, each winning both games at home. Setting up the KIJHL final as a mini best-of-three series. The Dynamiters won at home, and then finished the series off in Revelstoke, winning the league for the second time in two years.

Winning the league meant representing the KIJHL at the Cyclone Taylor Cup in Richmond. The tournament was hyped to be one of the most competitive tournaments ever seen. What resulted was one of the most polarizing tournaments to date. Even for the Nitro's, they played their best, and their worst, hockey at the tournament. They came away with bronze, winning a bronze medal against the Campbell River Storm.

With such a lengthy season, it only leaves four months until training camp starts in August. For Stuart, and the team, they want to enjoy the feeling of being league champions for a bit before making plans for the 2018-19 season.

"Get some family time in there, then I'll be wearing my recruiting hat."

The Dynamiters have many holes to fill, they had five players age out: James Farmer, Nicholas Ketola, Devon Langelaar (just committed to University of Arizona), Mason Palaga, and Brett Roberts. Starting goalie Cody Campbell will be playing college hockey with the University of Central Oklahoma. Plus, local defenders Lucas Purdy and James Rota are moving on.

Even though they leave holes in the lineup, this is the true reward that Stuart is looking for.

"It's rewarding to see them go out the way they did, being a huge part of the team, on and off the ice. To see them move up and on with their lives, whether it be in hockey or school. It is a great way to end their careers."

The roster will be in constant flux as players will be trying out for Junior A or the WHL, the team may look very different next season.

"You never know who is going to come back until usually later in the summer.

"But we are going to enjoy what we did this year for little bit longer."

For now, enjoy the sun, and enjoy being the KIJHL Champions, it was an excellent ride.

Lead photo by Jonathan Righton

Junior Career & Year End Interview with Mason Palaga

Junior Career & Year End Interview with Devon Langelaar

Junior Career & Year End Interview with Nicholas "Captain America" Ketola

Junior Career & Year End Interview with James Farmer

Cyclone Taylor Cup 2018 Game Four Report: The Nitro's explode for seven goals to win Bronze

After losing to the Campbell River Storm at the Cyclone Taylor Cup, head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said that the Kimberley Dynamiters wanted a second chance at playing the Storm.

"We were really hoping that Richmond were able to get into the finals," Stuart said, "we want another crack at Campbell River really bad."

It couldn't have been scripted any better. Due to the outcome of the Saturday evening game, the Storm and Nitro's were setup to play in the Bronze Medal Game.

Adding to the script, the Nitro's dedicated this game to the 20 year olds on the team. And those same 20 year olds started the game.

As the puck dropped for the Bronze Medal Game, the Nitro's had cleared the nightmare of a game from the day before against the Storm. But when the Storm scored first, the nightmare was expected to flash back, but didn't intrude as much as expected.

"A really good thing, was our resiliency." Stuart said. "Even though they scored first, it didn't impact us whatsoever. In fact, I think it made us hungrier."

After 20 minutes the VIJHL Champions, the Storm, were up 1-0, but trailed 7-8 in shots.

At nearly the two minute mark of the second, Brock Palmer skated from the Storm's red line to the circle and shot the puck into the corner of the net, scoring on the power play to tie the game at one.

Moments later, Palmer had a breakaway, was stopped, but Cam Russell banged home the rebound. The Nitro's were up 2-1.

A 1:15 later, Palmer scored again, and the Nitro's had a 3-1 lead on the Storm.

The Nitro's were not done scoring.

Bryce McDonald made a fantastic pass to Cooper Page, Kaboom, 4-1.

Thirty-four seconds later, Brandt Bertoia had a breakaway which he turned into a two-on-one and passed it to James Farmer, 5-1.

Then as the period was nearing a conclusion, James Farmer fired a point shot in on the power play. Now the Nitro's had a commanding 6-1 lead going into the third.

Stuart summed it up by saying, "we controlled that second period."

In the third, James Farmer would complete the hattrick, his second of the tournament.

"James was outstanding again. You give him opportunities, time and space with the puck, he is going to make you pay."

The Dynamiters scored seven unanswered goals to win the Bronze Medal Game 7-1. Not the outcome they wanted for the tournament but the outcome they wanted for that day.

"It shows a lot about our character, of each individual and our team, in a game where we are playing a team that thumped us yesterday. Our compete level was outstanding. I was very proud of how they played."

Cody Campbell made 16 saves in the win.

Brock Palmer was named the Star of the Game, scoring two goals and adding two assists.

"Brock, like in our win against Richmond, he was pretty shifty and controlled the puck. When you give him time and space to make a play, he will usually make a play. He was excellent again today."

Winning was a bitter-sweet moment, it marked the end to the junior careers of: Farmer, Nicholas Ketola, Devon Langelaar, Brett Roberts, and Mason Palaga, as they aged out. It was also Campbell's last game as he has committed to the University of Central Oklahoma next season.

"We were happy in the dressing room afterward, but at the same time guys started realizing that it was the last time that this group was going to be together playing a hockey game. There was a lot of hugging and some tears.

"These guys have been together for so long, almost eight months now, and have accomplished so much, and formed some very close bonds."

Many took to social media to congratulate the team on their performance, including Kimberley's mayor, Don McCormick:

"Congratulations to our KIJHL champion Dynamiters, winners of the bronze medal at the Cyclone Taylor Cup in Richmond." He said in his Facebook post. "...What a season! Our entire community is very proud of you. And best of luck to the five 20 year olds moving on after an amazing final year. Smell the roses boys... you have earned it!"

The Dynamiters are now making their way home, stopping midway in Osoyoos. Then the team returns home on Monday and the players will disperse home after Wednesday.

MATCH STICKS: The Richmond Sockeyes, for their second time have won the Gold Medal while hosting the tournament. The Delta Ice Hawks, who beat the Sockeyes in the PJHL playoffs, took home the Silver Medal.... the tournament was expected to be high scoring with an average of 6.38 goals a game. The surprise was goal difference, a KIJHL fan shared on Twitter that six of the eight games had a three goal or larger spread.

Cyclone Taylor Cup 2018 Game Three Report: Nitro's play worst game, lose 9-0

The Kimberley Dynamiters played their worst game of the year when the opportunity to play in the Gold Medal game at the Cyclone Taylor Cup was on the line.

It was the third game in three days and the Dynamiters had planned prior to the game to start Adam Andersen. It was Andersen's first game since March 10 when he made 19 saves in a 1-0 loss to the Columbia Valley Rockies.

"I have spoken to many coaches that have been in this tournament before," Nitro's head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said, "and their number one recommendation, and advice that I received from all of them, is that you can't play one guy four games in four days.

"Talked it over with the staff, talked it over with Campbell. There wasn't anyone that thought for a second we should play Campbell all four games."

Entering the game, the Nitro's knew that the Campbell River Storm, winless so far at the tournament, would be desperate.

And that is exactly what the Storm were, and the Dynamiters were not. The Storm scored four goals by the 9:17 mark of the first, chasing Andersen from the net.

"We could have had Patrick Roy in net tonight, and it wouldn't have mattered."

The Storm continued their relentless pursuit for goals, scoring 1:45 into the second period. They would later add two more goals to finish the period up 7-0.

Andersen would return to the net for the third period. Nothing was going to stop Campbell River, they piled on two more goals to secure a 9-0 win. Seven different players were in on the scoring.

After the game, the Dynamiters looked dejected.

"Today was complete domination, it was ugly. This was by far our worst game. It was a complete ass kicking.

"We will let this one sting for a bit, it is what we deserve."

With the loss the Dynamiters will be competing for the Bronze Medal on Sunday.

For the Nitro's, they want one more crack at the Storm, and hope to see them in the Bronze Medal game.

"It will be a lot easier for us to be motivated if we get to play Campbell River again."

Lucky for them, that is exactly who they will be facing at 11am MDT.

"We will be relaying the message that our season is not over, coming home with a bronze medal is a heck of a lot better than coming home in fourth place."

Gold Medal Match: The Richmond Sockeyes booked their ticket to the Gold Medal Game against the Delta Ice Hawks by defeating the Ice Hawks 5-3. The Sockeyes lead the tournament in points with 6. The game will be played at 2pm MDT.

Cyclone Taylor Cup 2018 Game Two Report: Dynamiters explode for six unanswered goals

Heading into Day Two of the Cyclone Taylor Cup, the Kimberley Dynamiters backs were against the wall, and in order to get back into the short tournament, they had to win their game against the host team Richmond Sockeyes.

"We haven't had two bad games in a row," head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said. "Our confidence has done a 180 from how we performed yesterday to tonight."

The Dynamiters needed the confidence because they were still looking for their first goal of the tournament.

The Nitro's had to wait a bit longer, because the Sockeyes controlled the start of the game, and then the Nitro's got into penalty trouble. Which eventually led to the Sockeyes opening the scoring.

"I thought the start was a little shaky to start, but the penalty kill and Cody Campbell gave us so much momentum and hope on the bench. We got our game going from that."

The Dynamiters did not panic. As the first period wound down, Chase Gedny scored on the rebound to tie the game.

In the second, the Sockeyes outshot the Dynamiters 18-9, yet the Dynamiters scored three goals in the middle period. Brock Palmer, James Farmer, and Brandt Bertoia scored within 3:55 to catapult the Nitro's to a 4-1 lead.

"It was good to see Brock Palmer get a goal - he hasn't scored in a while - and it was probably the biggest goal of the game to give us a 2-1 lead."

The third period became the Farmer show. He scored a power play goal, and then added another on a delayed penalty. It was his second hattrick this post season.

"Farmer stepped up and was probably our best player on the ice tonight and got rewarded with three goals."

The Dynamiters won 6-1, despite being outshot 39-35. Cody Campbell made 38 saves for his first win of the tournament, and Mason Palaga was named the star of the game with three assists. Matt Davies also had three assists.

"Our offense was dangerous, but what I liked most was our team defence. We were excellent in our own zone."

The Dynamiters need to rest up and prepare for their third game of the tournament against the Campbell River Storm.

"We need to reset when we wake up in the morning and go win a hockey game.

"The biggest thing is to play a tough defensive game and our offense will come from that, like we did tonight."

The Storm have yet to post a win, they lost in regulation and then in overtime. They will be desperate as they look for their first win and a chance to play for Gold on Sunday.

"We will be desperate. It is a do-or-die for both teams, it should be an excellent hockey game. It is going to be a game of desperation and urgency. Both teams need to win or they are out."

The last time these two teams met was the Gold Medal Game of the 2015 Cyclone Taylor Cup, the Storm won 6-5.

The Dynamiters and Storm will go head to head Saturday at 4:30 pm MDT.

Standing Quick Look: Delta Ice Hawks, 5pts; Kimberley Dynamiters, 3pts; Richmond Sockeyes, 3pts; Campbell River Storm, 1pt.

Tournament Scoring Leaders (three way tie for first): James Farmer, 3G; Tyler Andrews (Richmond), 2G 1A; Matt Davies, 3A; Mason Palaga, 3A.

Cyclone Taylor Cup 2018 Game One Report: Dynamiters lose uncharacteristic game 3-0

The Kimberley Dynamiters looked very uncharacteristic in their first game of the Cyclone Taylor Cup against the Delta Ice Hawks.

"Definitely not the start we wanted." Head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said.

The Ice Hawks had the best winning percentage between the KIJHL, VIJHL, and PJHL during the regular season, and they showed why against the Nitro's.

"The first 8-10 minutes were good. We did establish a forecheck and had them on their heels, but after the first goal it just went down hill from there."

At the 12:40 mark, the Ice Hawks scored and the Dynamiters could not get back into the game.

In the second, the Ice Hawks scored another two goals to secure a three goal lead.

The Dynamiters outshout the Hawks 7-1 in the third, but couldn't find a goal, and lost the game 3-0.

"We looked like we were skating in cement this afternoon. When we are not skating, we are not going to beat too many teams."

Cody Campbell was named the teams player of the game, making 21 saves.

Coach Stuart struggled to find any kind of positive take away from the game

"There was no positive takeaway from that game. It was up there in one of our worst games of the entire playoff season, I'd put it in the top three."

The Dynamiters, one game in, now have to win their next two games if they want to compete for Gold on Sunday.

"We need to come with more confidence. We need to skate. It was not the Dynamiters team that we are used to."

"It doesn't matter the reason, we can't have that again."

The Dynamiters next game is Friday at 8:30 pm MDT against the host team, the Richmond Sockeyes.

"The team hasn't had two bad games in a row all year, we trust that it won't happen tomorrow."

The Kimberley Dynamiters have shifted focus to the Cyclone Taylor Cup

The Kimberley Dynamiters headed out Tuesday to Richmond to compete for the Cyclone Taylor Cup.

It was only three years ago, in 2015, that the Dynamiters represented the KIJHL in the Cyclone Taylor Cup in Mission City. This year, they are heading 75 km's more West.

While the Dynamiters have had a goal all season to win the KIJHL, they didn't set goals past that - even though a natural consequence of winning the league, is to represent the league in provincials.

"It's an added bonus, we never spoke about the Cyclone Taylor Cup all year." Head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said. "We were so focused on winning our own league, it is tough enough to do that.

"We will get our mind set on the Cyclone Taylor Cup, it is definitely a goal to go there and win now."

The KIJHL has done well at the tournament the past five years, earning six medals: three gold, two silver (including the Dynamiters in 2015), and a bronze.

"It's an honour [to represent the KIJHL]" Stuart said, "there are so many good teams in this league, to have to go through four best-of-sevens to win the league is really grinding.

"To win this league and be able to represent it when we go to Richmond, we are going to do the best job we can to represent the league properly."

The Dynamiters were the last team to qualify for the tournament, with only five days between winning the KIJHL and playing their first game against the Delta Ice Hawks Thursday.

"Hopefully it is an advantage to keep rolling. We need the rest, but we don't need any more than that. We are going to be coming in fresh.

"Playing less than a week later is hopefully an advantage for us as opposed to some of the teams that have had to wait a while."

As for the players, Mason Palaga and captain Brett Roberts both shared the message of, "it is a quick turn around, but we will be ready."

The Nitro's will be up against the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League champions, Campbell River Storm; the Pacific Junior Hockey League champions Delta Ice Hawks; and Richmond Sockeyes, the hosts from the PJHL.

The Campbell River Storm are competing in the Cyclone for the fourth year in a row, and were just announced as the 2019 Cyclone Taylor Cup hosts. The Storm were top in the VIJHL during the regular season with 78 points in 48 games.

The Storm then went on to post a 12-4 record en route to the VIJHL title. They have had success at the tournament earning medals the past three years, and continue to look to build on their success.

PJHL champions, Delta Ice Hawks, are competing in the Cyclone for the first time since 2012 when they won bronze. The Ice Hawks posted BC's best winning percentage during the regular season, winning 87.5% of their games. They went 12-3 during the playoffs to win their leagues title.

Hosts Richmond Sockeyes lost to the Delta Ice Hawks in the second round of the PJHL playoffs, but posted the second best record in the PJHL, and had the fifth best winning percentage in BC, 78.4%.

Since the round robin format began in 2004, the Sockeyes have been in the tournament four times, winning gold three times, and placing fourth the other time. One of those gold medals was when they were the hosts in 2009.

Host teams have had great success in the tournament winning medals 11 of the past 14 years, and are currently on a three year streak.

Nitro's Cyclone Taylor Cup Schedule (times are MDT)
Thursday 4:30 pm vs Delta Ice Hawks
Friday 8:30 pm vs Richmond Sockeyes
Saturday 4:30 pm vs Campbell River Storm

Setting up the 2018 Cyclone Taylor Cup

Kimberley Dynamiters (KIJHL)	Regular Season	Campbell River Storm (VIJHL)
38-7-1-1	Record	36-6-4-2
4.23	Offence (GFA)	4.94
2.38	Defence (GAA)	1.98
0.919	Goaltending (SV%)	0.922
22.00%	Power Play	21.40%
87.75%	Penalty Kill	90.22%
31.88%	Top 3 Dependence	28.15%
Brock Palmer (25G-33A)	Top Scorer	Darren Hards (26G-33A)
Matt Davies (15G-39A)	2nd Top Scorer	Dawson Frank (24G-31A)
Cam Russell (19G-31A)	3rd Top Scorer	Brett Kinley (27G-20A)
Mason Palaga (151)	PIM Leader	Brett Kinley (138)

	Playoffs
16-6	Record	12-4
3.82	Offence (GFA)	4.69
1.77	Defence (GAA)	1.88
0.934	Goaltending (SV%)	0.931
26.52%	Power Play	18.75%
87.50%	Penalty Kill	88.14%
33.92%	Top 3 Dependence	35.83%
Matt Davies (5G-21A)	Top Scorer	Dawson Frank (17G-11A)
Brock Palmer (5G-21A)	2nd Top Scorer	Kyle Kaufmann (7G-13A)
Bryce McDonald (10G-15A)	3rd Top Scorer	Darren Hards (9G-10A)
Brett Roberts (52)	PIM Leader	Cody Savey (45)

Delta Ice Hawks (PJHL)	Regular Season	Richmond Sockeyes (Host)
37-4-0-3	Record	33-8-1-2
5.39	Offence (GFA)	4.89
1.80	Defence (GAA)	2.84
0.925	Goaltending (SV%)	0.903
18.81%	Power Play	26.61%
90.23%	Penalty Kill	86.09%
27.13%	Top 3 Dependence	28.57%
J. Deyrmenjian (31G-38A)	Top Scorer	Tyler Andrews (34G-37A)
Gary Dhaliwal (18G-35A)	2nd Top Scorer	Arjun Badh (21G-28A)
J. Rees Jr. (16G-29A)	3rd Top Scorer	Nicolas Bizzutto (29G-17A)
J. Rees Jr. (104)	PIM Leader	Matthew Brown (118)

	Playoffs
12-3	Record	5-5
3.40	Offence (GFA)	2.30
1.67	Defence (GAA)	2.40
0.913	Goaltending (SV%)	0.917
27.12%	Power Play	22.50%
87.10%	Penalty Kill	83.33%
35.38%	Top 3 Dependence	50.00%
Gary Dhaliwal (10G-9A)	Top Scorer	Tyler Andrews (5G-6A)
A. Hansen-Bukata (2G-12A)	2nd Top Scorer	Arjun Badh (5G-5A)
J. Deyrmenjian (5G-8A)	3rd Top Scorer	Jordan Funk (3G-5A)
Kyle Uy (37)	PIM Leader	Connor Kavanagh (73)

Story: The Kimberley Dynamiters are the 2018 KIJHL Champs

The Kimberley Dynamiters are the KIJHL Champions for the second time since 2015, as they downed the Revelstoke Grizzlies 5-3 in Game Six

Kimberley had a difficult task ahead of them, winning a game on the road in Revelstoke. The last time the Dynamiters won a game on the road was game six of the Kootenay Conference, a 2-1 overtime victory against the Nelson Leafs.

Over 1,000 fans filled the Revelstoke Forum and were an intimidating presence. The Grizz fed off of their enthusiasm, firing an astounding 21 shots on Nitro's Cody Campbell - 21 shots was the total amount of shots the Grizz had in Game Five!

In their ferocious first period, Grizz leading scorer Jordan Robertson got them on the board first.

"To be honest, we laid into in the first intermission," head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said. "We were a little bit intimidated by the crowd noise and by how hard the [Grizzlies] came out. We sat on our heels and relied on Campbell.

"In a not so nice way, let them know that wasn't why we were here, and that wasn't going to get the job done.

"Sometimes you have to do that with a team, and they responded the right way."

In the second, Cam Russell stole the puck at centre ice and then scored on the breakaway. Tie game.

Forty seconds later the Grizz regained their one goal lead with a goal by Harrison Rosch.

Half a minute later, Cooper Page tied the game at two. The teams were trading goals.

On the power play in the final minute of the second, Cooper Page gave the Nitro's their first lead of the game, scoring on the power play.

"The [players] obviously knew that the first period was our worst period of the playoffs." Stuart said. "They came out firing in the second. Once Russell scored that first goal, I thought we took over the game from there."

A short 20 seconds into the third, Nicholas Ketola doubled the Nitro's lead, 4-2.

At the midway point of the third, Jordan Rea scored for the Grizz, to get within one.

James Farmer restored the Nitro's two goal lead with 2:25 left. The clock would not count down fast enough.

The Grizz pulled their goalie and did their best to score, but with 15 seconds left the Grizz would take a penalty, sealing their fate.

After winning the faceoff in the offensive zone, Mason Palaga skated the puck down to his defensive out to run out the clock, to let the celebrations begin.

"Me personally, I tried to watch the players reactions." Stuart said. "That's the enjoyment to see their reaction and celebration. We had the five 20-yearolds on the ice in the final minute, to see their reaction and see them celebrate was the highlight of my season."

"It was pretty special for us." Palaga said, "It felt good as the time was winding down. We finally did it."

Farmer was speechless talking about the final moments, but mustered, "Watching that clock go down, I will never forget that."

And with that final tick, the Kimberley Dynamiters were the 2018 KIJHL Champions!

A sore and tired captain,  Brett Roberts, smiled as he recalled what it was like to accept the trophy from KIJHL President Bill Ohlhausen, "It felt really good. It is something that you chase down your entire career. It was pretty special moment."

For a couple of the players, this was not their first trip to the KIJHL Finals, but the first time winning.

It was Palaga's second year in a row making the KIJHL Finals, he was a member of the Chase Heat last season and they lost to the Beaver Valley Nitehawks.

"This meant a lot to me." He said. "Losing last year was upsetting. Then coming here, it was my goal to win a championship. It feels good finally doing it.

Farmer was one of the players that played on the Nitro's in the 2016 KIJHL Finals, "It was heart breaking my first year." He said, "To get there again, I didn't want that to happen again. We came through - it's indescribable."

The Nitro's spent the night in Revelstoke before travelling back on Saturday.

When the teams' bus arrived at the Kimberley Civic Centre about 50 fans, friends, and family greeted the Champs.

The Dynamiters head out on Tuesday to start their trek to Richmond to represent the KIJHL in the Cyclone Taylor Cup.

"It's an added bonus, we never spoke about the Cyclone Taylor Cup all year." Stuart said. "We were so focused on winning our own league, it is tough enough to do that."

Their first game is Thursday at 4:30 pm MDT against the Delta Ice Hawks.

5-0 win in Game 5 puts Kimberley Dynamiters one win away from KIJHL Title

Entering Game Five of the KIJHL Finals, the Revelstoke Grizzlies and Kimberley Dynamiters had split the series with each team winning their home games.

The winner of Game Five would be one game away from finishing the series, and the Kimberley Dynamiters were at home, and therefore had an edge.

The Nitro's got off to a quick start as Bryce McDonald scored 1:14 into the game.

"It was a huge lift for the team." McDonald said after the game. "I love scoring against them every night. I want to score against them three goals a night if I can, I hate them."

The goal was McDonald's 10th of the post season, and he has found an extra gear in the playoffs.

"It is more less working harder and not necessarily caring about who is scoring the goals and just worry about the results." He said. "My teammates have been doing an excellent job at finding me and I have just been getting to the right spots."

Minutes later, Cooper Page gave the Dynamiters a massive two goal lead a mere 6:25 into the period.

Nicholas Ketola, who is known more for his penalty kill prowess, would score two power play goals. The first he tipped in with 1:38 remaining in the second period - a timely goal. The next was at the midway point in the third. With those goals, the Nitro's had a commanding 4-0 lead with 10:34 remaining in the game.

Cam Russell gave the Nitro's a 5-0 lead, as he busted in alone and willed his way to the net, scoring on the backhand.

The Grizzlies had a moment where they thought they scored, but the goal was waved off.

Then in strange fashion, like how basketball players hold the ball to run down the final seconds of the clock, captain Brett Roberts secured the puck and held it behind the net, running down over 30 seconds of play. The Grizzlies didn't press, and the Nitro's won Game Five.

"I liked our tenacity and our hunger for getting to the net before pucks were there." Nitro's head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said after the game. "That was one area that was lacking [in games three and four]. Tonight we did an outstanding job of driving to the net without pucks."

Goaltender Campbell added, "We showed tonight that we really are the better team."

Campbell was named the Home Star of the Game as he earned his third shutout of the post season making 21 saves.

"I was seeing pucks well, the guys were clearing the net for me. I feel great, never felt better. Hopefully carry that into tomorrow night."

"Campbell as good." Stuart said. "He played the puck a little more than I would have liked. He was really good when he needed to be.

"Our defense really stepped up, especially guys like Roberts and Harrison Risdon. Risdon was one of our best players on the ice tonight."

The Nitro's dressed two local affiliate players: Erik Delaire and Braiden Koran.

"They were both great. They were both excellent. They both deserve a chance to play, they are both capable of playing, as they showed.

"In Koran's case we wanted to get some fresh legs, a guy that is very hungry and eager to go out there. He finished a lot checks, and was very effective."

It's a short turn around, as Game Six is Friday night in Revelstoke. The Grizzlies opted to take the bus home Thursday night, while the Nitro's will sleep in their own beds and then travel to Revelstoke Friday morning.

"We need to play the same way." Stuart said when asked what his team needs to do in Game Six. "If we can carry the driving to the net and creating more chances into tomorrow that should hopefully get us the result we want."

As for the distraction of being a single game away from winning the KIJHL Championships and advancing to the Cyclone Taylor Cup.

"It's definitely not going to be easy." Campbell said. "We have a really great opportunity. As a team, we are really excited. At the same time we know what it took tonight in order to give us that opportunity."

"[Managing the excitement] will be the toughest part, I am assuming," Stuart said, "trying to play just a shift at a time and not thinking about what could happen. There is a lot of work for us to do to get the result we want.

"We don't want to come back here [for game seven], hopefully that was our last game of the year here [at home]. If it takes two, we will come to that when we get to it. But we are heading to Revelstoke tomorrow with the intent of finishing the series."

Game Six is at the Revelstoke Forum at 8:00 pm MDT.

Revelstoke Grizzlies tie series, Kimberley Dynamiters ready for Game Five

The KIJHL Finals between Kimberley Dynamiters and Revelstoke Grizzlies continued on Monday and Tuesday in Revelstoke for Games Three and Four.

Having built themselves a 2-0 series lead, the Dynamiters were halfway to achieving their goal. The Grizzlies, however, had other plans.

"Going in to game three, we had the mindset that we needed to be much better than in games one and two" Grizzlies head coach and general manger Ryan Parent said. "We hadn't played our best hockey. Our group understood that."

The Grizzlies Joel Scrimbit scored 4:41 into the first period, bringing the 900 plus fans at the Revelstoke Forum to their feet.

At the exact midway point of the game, the 10:00 mark of the second period, Mason Palaga tied the game at one.

After that, it was downhill, as the Nitro's frustration began showing through.

"It was a little bit frustrating." Nitro's head coach and general manager Derek Staurt said, as the team was struggling to capitalize on chances, as a result the team took "some selfish and stupid penalties."

The Grizzlies would score two power play goals on those penalties before the end of the second to take a 3-1 lead. Goals were by Jordan Rea and Clark Nelson.

Then very early in the third, the Grizzlies would take a three goal lead, putting the final nail in the game.

Despite outshooting the Grizzlies 41-36, including limiting them to six shots in the third, the Nitro's lost 4-1.

Game Four would prove to be just as infuriating for the Nitro's. The Nitro's would outshoot the Grizz 37-18, yet loose by one goal, scored by Jacob Bourchier.

Giovanni Sambrielaz earned his first shutout of the post season, making 37 saves.

"We have very good goaltending." Parent said. "I felt that our defensive structure through both games was solid."

"Based on the box score, it may look like [they have a hot goalie]." Stuart said. "We are not bearing down on our chances. I don't recall too many remarkable saves, we need to stop hitting him in the midsection or chest.

"He is a very good goaltender, don't get me wrong. But we are making him look far better than he is."

Needless to say, the Grizz are pleased that they outscored the Nitro's 5-1 to even the series.

"When you are scoring enough to win, it makes a difference." Parent said. "Five goals in two games is a respectable amount. We got both the results that we wanted. Nothing else would be acceptable."

For the Nitro's, they are left frustrated, not getting the results they wanted, despite controlling and dominating four of the six periods.

"We dominated the last four periods." Stuart said. "They averaged six shots in the last four periods. I have never seen a case where a team dominates so much a not score a goal."

Perplexed, Stuart added, "It was quite remarkable how many scoring chances we had compared to how few they had, and we somehow lost two hockey games. I think the guys are pretty angry and pretty upset, and know that we have to keep going.

"They are pissed off because they haven't gotten the result based on the fact that their actions have deserved results. In our opinion this series should be over, but for some reason we just couldn't bear down on our scoring chances. Bounces went their way.

"At the end of the day, it doesn't matter who dominates who, they won the hockey games. It's 2-2 and we are back home."

The series now becomes a mini best-of-three with the KIJHL title on the line and a ticket to the Cyclone Taylor Cup in Richmond.

"We have two very good teams." Parent restated. "The team that wants it more is the team that is going to walk away with it."

The Grizzlies are not concerned about what venue they are playing in.

"In my mind it doesn't factor which ice you are on." Parent said. "At the end of the day, you have to play. We will be ready.

"Everybody is trying to analyze every little thing nowadays. In game three we had good production,we will want to have more production in game five."

The Nitro's are going to be relying on recent past experience to get them through this series.

"We are going to look at it as the exact same situation that we were in last series with Nelson." Stuart said. "The boys are pissed off, and are excited and ready to go Thursday night."

Despite the two losses Stuart doesn't feel that the team doesn't need to make adjustments.

"There is nothing we need to change. Our guys actions were phenomenal for five of the six periods there [in Revelstoke.]

"I am confident for the law of averages that if we keep playing like we are playing we are going to win a game.

"We need to keep doing what we are doing, but score goals."

Game Five is at the Kimberley Civic Centre Thursday night at 7:30 pm MDT, and Game Six is Friday night in Revelstoke at 8:00 pm MDT.

The Kimberley Dynamiters win a long game 5-1 to take a 2-0 series lead.

The Kimberley Dynamiters won one of the strangest, and longest games of the year.

Game One went into double overtime and ended at 10:38 pm when Brandt Bertoia scored the winning goal.

Game Two, didn't go in to overtime, but it ended at 10:44 pm.

The Dynamiters continued their success on the power play, as James Farmer scored the teams third power play goal of the series to open the scoring.

The Nitro's continued to build on their lead in the first period as Bryce McDonald and Farmer scored the teams second and third goals.

To start the second, the Grizz swapped keepers, with Liam McGarva coming in for relief for Giovanni Sambrielaz. This was McGarva's first game since February 17. Intriguingly, McGarva was named the Doug Birks Division Top Goaltender.

The Grizz started taking control of the game, and limited the Nitro's to one shot in the first half of the second. Cody Campbell showed why he is considered one of the leagues top goalies, as he held the Grizz at bay.

Then a hit made a stanchion come loose, and play was stopped. Both teams enjoyed a lengthy timeout, and then play resumed.

Moments later, in that exact same corner, with the exact same section of glass, the pane completely fell out after a hit.

Play was stopped. And a ladder and a tape measure were brought out. With that, both teams were sent to the dressing room for a mid-period intermission.

"It was weird." Grizzlies head coach and general manager Ryan Parent said."The facility in Kimberley has some issues with their glass. I have never seen anything like that where the glass continues to fall out in the same corner."

But then he added, "I don't think it was really a factor in the game."

For 20 minutes the city crews worked ferociously to replace the pane of glass. It was installed, and play resumed for period two and a half.

Clutch scorer Bertoia did it again as the second wound down, scoring with 1.6 seconds left to make it a 4-0 game.

"That goal is on us," Parent said. "We were in the right spot, but you have to make a hard play. They deserved the goal, we deserved to let one by."

Third period. Third goal for Farmer with 19:33 left in the game, and a massive 5-0 lead for the Nitro's.

"It feels good." Farmer said, straight to the point. "I capitalized."

That same spot, yet again, the glass needed to be replaced.

This time the players stayed out, and did their best to keep themselves warm; most stretched, one danced!

Farmer said that the team stayed focused because, "We know what we are playing for, and we all really want it, and we showed it tonight."

Instead of replacing the glass with glass, plywood was used as a substitute. Then that corner was less utilized by the players, no one wanting to get slivers in the face.

The Grizzlies got on the board with a power play goal of their own, scored by Cole Golden.

Just as the game was beginning to wind down, Colby Sherlock was then penalized for hitting from behind. As the roughing ensued, the beer section got extra rowdy and hung over the glass. Now another pane of glass needed to be replaced!

It was now 10:40 pm, and a 1:18 still needed to be played out.

Crews worked quickly to fix this new broken stanchion.

As the worked, the officials decided to run down the clock. Play did not resume, and the Dynamiters anticlimactically won the game 5-1 to take a 2-0 series lead.

"We were much better than last night," Niro's had coach and general manager Derek Stuart said. "I thought there was more urgency. We were moving pucks better, we were skating better. We got a couple of goals when we were in a good position. Overall, execution and attention to detail was better tonight."

Campbell made 30 saves for his and the teams 14th win of the post season.

Farmer, with his first career hattrick, was named the Home Star of the Game.

"Farmer was excellent, obviously." Stuart said. "Just the determination and the drive, you could sense it in him in his first couple of shifts. To get the three goals he got were just out of sheer determination. He just wanted it. He was the best player on the ice and an outstanding leader."

The Dynamiters dressed affiliate player Erik Delaire.

"He was real good, really solid and impressive." Stuart said. "He is very capable of playing in this league, and he proved it tonight."

The Dynamiters are now short two players due to suspension, Cam Russell (out for three games) and Sherlock (suspension not listed, but expected).

"Our depth, we go through our depth. We have 20 guys in Nitro's jerseys, and we are not too concerned with who they are. It is actually a difficult decision the day of the game deciding who not to play, which is a good thing for the coaches."

The Grizzlies are now looking forward to playing at home as they try to get into the series.

"We are going to have to figure it out. Your goaltending has to be in sync with your team. I don't think our group has been entirely focused. I don't think we have played our best hockey, and that is on us."

Game Three and Four is in Revelstoke on Monday and Tuesday at 8:00 pm MDT.

"The pressure is all on them," Stuart said. "They need to win next game to avoid facing elimination. We are going to try and play a simple road game."

"We are going to have to be better." Parent said. "We have to bring it, and we have to play.

"You have to have urgency. It's the playoffs, you have to be urgent in every game."

MATCH STICKS: The Cyclone Taylor Cup in Richmond is coming together. The Campbell River Storm have won the VIJHL, and the Delta Ice Hawks won the PJHL.... Great work by the city crews for working under the pressure of two teams and 1,077 fans.