The Kimberley Dynamiters take a 2-0 series lead as series shifts to Golden

The 2019 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) Playoffs have begun! The series between the Kimberley Dynamiters and Golden Rockets began Tuesday night.

The Nitros fed off the energy of the fans at the Civic Centre as Keegan McDowell scored his first two KIJHL playoff goals on his first shift of the game, with helpers from Brock Palmer.

The Dynamiters kept scoring in the first, with two more goals to make it a 4-0 game after 20 minutes. Plus outshooting the Rockets 12-6. Goals were by Brandt Bertoia and Ryan Skytt.

In the middle period, the Nitros fell flat, and the Rockets raised their game, and Kale Wareham scored the only game of the period.

In the third the Nitros returned. Braiden Koran got his first KIJHL playoff goal, and Chase Gedny closed out the scoring with the teams sixth goal.

Adam Andersen made 21 saves for his first KIJHL playoff win.

In game two on Wednesday, the Dynamiters started off with the same energy. This time it was Palmer scoring early.

Cam Russell made it 2-0 before the first period ended. The game felt very similar to Tuesday's game, and that the Nitros won the game in the first period.

Gedny credits the crowd for the teams quick starts, "the home crowd is awesome... it's pretty easy to be ready to go for that first puck drop."

But similar to the Tuesday game, the Nitros fell flat in the second. Former Nitro, Chad MciLwain brought the Rockets to within one. Then moments later Brendan Sime-Vivian tied the game at two. At the end of the second it was tied, and the Nitros were outshot in the period.

"Our second periods have not been good in this rink." Nitros head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said, but couldn't really explain why the team was struggling in the middle period.

Koran broke the tie in the third, and then Gedny followed it up with a power play goal, and the Nitros restored their two goal lead.

Only for a moment though.

Janson Pashniak drew the Rockets to within one. The remaining moments of the period were tense, and fans from both teams were chanting.

With 52 seconds left on the clock, and the Rockets net empty, Gedny sealed the Nitros victory with an empty net goal.

"The good thing is the score doesn't really matter to us right now," Stuart said. "We got the win, and that's the most important thing."

The Nitros now take a 2-0 series lead to Golden.

Despite being down in the series, Golden Rockets head coach and general manager Jeremy Blumes said "I am really proud of my guys." Adding that an overwhelming majority of his players have not played a KIJHL playoff game before.

"Obviously the first one did not go the way we wanted, but the second was a rocky start. We faced adversity and battled through it."

For Blume heading into the next two games in Golden, they are looking forward to playing their first playoff game in Golden in four years.

"I am expecting a heck of a turnout and a lot of energy in the building, I know I feed off of that, and I know our boys do to."

For Dynamiters Captain, Gedny wants to see some more effort in the second period, "our starts have been awesome, and our third periods have been great. We just got to clean up the middle part of the game."

With fatigue being a concern for Stuart, he wants his team to rest - they have played four games in six nights, overlapping with that the first four games of this series are in five nights.

"We have to play one shift at a time."

The games on Friday and Saturday start at 7:30.

Lead photo by Jonathan Righton

Kimberley Dynamiters finish regular season on 14-game win streak; Prepare for playoffs

The Kimberley Dynamiters rounded out their regular season this past weekend as they prepared for the start of the playoffs.

On Friday, the Nitros traveled to Creston to play the Thunder Cats. The Cats were ready for this game, the Nitros were not.

Even though the Nitros escaped the first with a 2-1 lead, they were out played and out shot. Goals were by Chase Gedny and Daniels.

In the second, the Cats tied the game.

The Cats then took the lead in the third period with 14:10 remaining.

Just when it seemed like the Nitros win streak would come to an end, Daniels scored his 2nd of the game with 2:22 left in the third.

In overtime, the game continued to be Brady Daniels. With the faceoff in the offensive zone, he won the draw to the right to setup Brandt Bertoia for the overtime game winner!

Adam Andersen made 22 saves for his 26th win of the season.

After the game head coach and general manager Derek Stuart felt that the team only played 23 minutes, but that the still earned the win.

The win tied the team with their franchise best point record. During the 2015-16 season, the Nitros posted 86 points.

On Saturday, the Dynamiters had a chance to set a new record, in three less games than the 2015-16 season, against the Golden Rockets.

Gedny opened the scoring, with the first periods lone goal.

Six goals rained during the second period, four for the Nitros, two for the Golden Rockets. Gedny, Spencer Kennedy, Ryan Bennett, and Keegan McDowell scored for the Nitros, while the Rockets captain scored two goals.

In the third, the Rockets captain, Dominic Turner, finished his hattrick.

But Derian Bamber sealed the game with an empty net goal for the 6-3 win.

Brett Anderson stopped 21 pucks in his 17th win of the season.

The win set a franchise record 88 points in a regular season, plus the Nitros finished the regular season on a 14-game win streak.

The Nitros now get ready for the playoffs, as they will host the Golden Rockets Tuesday and Wednesday, before heading to Golden on Friday and Saturday.

In the six regular season meetings between the Rockets and Dynamiters, the Nitros won all six games, and outscored the Rockets 35-9.

Turner leads the Rockets offence, and was third in the league for goals scored with 38 in 43 games. On the backend, the Rockets rely on Jaden Callan (47 games, 28 points) and Terrell Vekved (37 games, 14 points), while Ryan Baker has carried the bulk of the workload, appearing in 35 games, going 16-14 and posting a 3.16 GAA.

Puck drop is 7pm at the Kimberley Civic Centre.

MATCH STICKS: The Fernie Ghostriders went 4-0-2 against the Columbia Valley Rockies. The Nelson Leafs won their season series against the Spokane Braves 4-2. The Grand Forks Border Bruins and Beaver Valley Nitehawks split their series, each winning three games. The Princeton Posse and Summerland split their series, three games a piece. The Kelowna Chiefs won all six of their games against the Osoyoos Coyotes. The Revelstoke Grizzlies blanked the Kamloops Storm 6-0 in their season series. The 100 Mile House Wranglers edged out their season series against the Sicamous Eagles 3-2-1.

Lead Photo By Jonathan Righton of the Therapeutic Paws of Canada.

Podcast: Season Review with Eric Blow; Weekend Review; Preparing for Playoffs; Bloggers Blurb

KIJHL Power Rankings: February 2019 & KIJHL Final Predictions

As we head into the last weekend of the KIJHL regular season, it seemed like a great opportunity to do the power rankings.

The Power Rankings looks at how a team is doing offensively, defensively, effectiveness on special teams, and goaltending. It then ranks those categories and compares them to the standings. The difference between he ranking and the standings shows (when positive) that a team is playing better than their record suggests, or (when negative) that a team is finding ways to win even despite their statistical execution.

A couple of highlights:

• Revelstoke Grizzlies are power ranked #1, which is two spots higher than their place in the standings.
• Which this means they are, in my opinion, the statistical favourite, to win the league.
• Osoyoos Coyotes, #13 and in the standings they are 16th, which is a difference of +3. The Princeton Posse are #16, in the standings 15th, for a difference of -1.
• Again, in my opinion, a 4th seed, in this case, is performing better than the 3rd seed. 
• See Also: Golden Rockets and Columbia Valley Rockies

Playoff Final Prediction:

Revelstoke Grizzlies vs Kimberley Dynamiters. With Grizzlies winning.

Before we get to the rankings, a quick word on eye-test (emotional) and stats (rational). Power Rankings are purely the statistical/rational side of analysis and our brain, and doesn't take into account the eye-test or emotional side of analyzing and our brain. So while I present the statistical outcome, it doesn't take into account the "human" factor, that emotions could end up driving a team and creating upsets. Also, if I went with the emotional side and relied just on my heart, I'd have Kimberley winning the finals, and number one in every category.

Now to the KIJHL Power Rankings (click to enlarge):

Podcast: It's All Rockets. Rockets Game Review and Preview. Plus meet Rockets PxP Lucas!

Kimberley Dynamiters 2018/19 Awards Banquet

The Kimberley Dynamiters held their annual Award Banquet on Sunday February 17th at the Kimberley Conference and Athletic Training Centre.

After a delicious meal and speeches, the Dynamiters Board of Directors and coaching staff brought out the hardware.

Here are this years awards winners:

Most Scholastic: Braiden Koran

Sponsored by: High Point Plumbing & Heating

Most Improved: Carter Spring

Sponsored by: Players Bench

Most Sportsmanlike: Brandt Bertoia

Sponsored by: Western Financial Group

Most Popular Player (As voted by fans): Brock Palmer

Sponsored by: The Sullivan Pub

Community Service Award: Noah Danforth

Sponsored by: BDO

Most Quotable: Brandt Bertoia

Sponsored by: Nitros Night in Kimberley

Unsung Hero: Ryan Bennett

Sponsored by: Coaches

Most Inspirational: Chase Gedny

Sponsored by: Chalet Chev Olds

Rookie of the Year: Keegan McDowell

Sponsored by: Grubstake Pizza

Best Defenseman: Lucas Chilton

Sponsored by: Mark Creek Market

Best Forward: Cam Russell

Sponsored by: Zen Mountain Float & Wellness

Coaches Award: Adam Andersen

Sponsored by: Coaches

Leading Scorer: Brock Palmer

Sponsored by: Remax/Caldwell Agencies

Most Valuable Player: Brock Palmer

Sponsored by: Melody Motors

20 Year Old Recognition: 

Brandt Bertoia, Derian Bamber, Ryan Skytt, Kole Halvorson

Photos by Tasha Johnston & Hollie Bobak

Captain Chase Gedny's speech from the Kimberley Dynamiters Awards Banquet

The Kimberley Dynamiters held their awards banquet on Sunday February 17th.

Prior to the awards being handed out, Chase Gedny delivered his Captains speech.

He was kind enough to share his speech so we can re-experience all of the feelings:

"Good evening everyone, I’m Chase Gedny. I’m excited and honoured to be able to give thanks and speak on behalf of my teammates. To start this off, I would like to say how much I love Kimberley. Everything about this town is just awesome. the support we receive on a daily basis whether we’re downtown or around the rink, at the gym, whatever. I’ve never lived in a community that’s so friendly and welcoming. I’ve never played junior hockey anywhere else but from what I have heard from veterans on our current team and years past, is that Kimberley is by far their favourite place that they’ve had the opportunity to play and it’s pretty easy to see why. I’m very proud to be a part of the Kimberley community.

"On behalf of the guys, I’d like to start off by thanking the board members, volunteers and the sponsors. The countless hours you guys put in behind the scenes to make this a top of the line organization doesn’t go unnoticed. And I can’t stress enough that without you guys, we wouldn’t have any of the success we have. We appreciate it greatly. You guys are the best.

"Next up, I would like to thank the coaching staff. Byron, Keives, Lofty, and Whitey. You guys have all been unbelievable coaches, role models and friends to us. We appreciate all of the hard work you guys put in to make us better hockey players and even better people. And now for Stu, ever since we talked a couple summers ago after my minor hockey stint, you sure made it seem like Kimberley was the place to be. And you didn’t disappoint. After hearing only good things about you as a coach, it was an easy choice to come and play for you. I can’t thank you enough for the amount of hours you put in at the rink to make us better hockey players. You know what’s best for us, even if that means doing six forties, or a no puck practice. But you don’t just make us better hockey players, you make us better people in general. Ever since I’ve known you, you have stressed the idea that it’s all about our actions, and not the result. With us guys, when we do focus on having good actions and working hard, we get the success we are looking for.

"Next up, I would like to thank our trainer Chad Koran, the amount of work you do for us is a big job. from setting up equipment like putting stupid cages on our helmets, to taping us up, to sharpening our skates, and the biggest one, putting up with Berts compliments everyday, your work is appreciated by us all.

"I’d also like to thank Neil, the work you do for us is much appreciated. You do a great job keeping the rookies in line. And thanks for letting me know when to chalk them up. And you make the best Gatorade in the KI! Next I’d like to thank Scotty, the best motivational 2nd intermission speaker ever, you’re undefeated so far, and you sure know how to fire us up for the big 3rd!

"I’d also like to thank Kari Loftsgard and Doc Van Ziel for dealing with our injuries all year, you guys do a great job getting us back in the lineup as soon as possible. And I’d like to thank Derrick Smith for hosting chapple every other Wednesday, it’s always a good time and your support is very much appreciated. Another guy I’d like to thank is Josh Lockhart for being the great stats guy you are and for hosting us on your podcasts. Thanks for all that you do.

"Next group that I would like to recognize are the billet families, thanks to all of you guys for doing this and making my team mates part of your guys’s families. I’d like to shoutout my billets Lyle and Iona Prier. they’re the best and have been very welcoming and they have made me feel like I’m part of the family. Twenty three years of billeting, that’s impressive and very much appreciated by all of us.

"And now, here’s to the 20 year olds, you guys have all been excellent role models for us younger guys. You guys take us on your backs and are great leaders. You are all going to do great things in the future. I’d put money on it. And for the rest of the fellas. We have been though a lot this year together and it’s a special feeling going out and playing games by your guys’s side. I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of the 18/19 nitros with you guys. But the best time of the year is upon us now; playoffs. And I couldn’t be more confident in our group of guys to go out there, and get that banner and trophy again! Burn the ships boys!"

Story: Kimberley Dynamiters continue their winning ways

The Kimberley Dynamiters continue to be hot, as they outscored their opponents 10-3, to win their 11th and 12th games in a row!

On Friday, despite doubling up the Creston Valley Thunder Cats, 4-2; the game could have been very different.

The Nitros were lucky to escape the first period tied at one, despite being scored on first and outshot 16-9. Ryan Bennet scored the only goal that period.

"We got dominated in the first period." Head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said. "If it wasn't for Brett Anderson, we would have definitely been down."

In the tightly contested second period, the Nitros were able to take a 2-1 with a goal by Ryan Skytt.

However, the Thunder Cats were able to draw even on a power play goal. It was 2-2 after 40 minutes, and was anyone's game.

At the midway point of the third, Spencer Kennedy scored his 14th of the year to break the tie and give the Nitros the lead.

Brock Palmer scored the "icing on the cake"goal on the power play with 91 seconds left.

Bennett was named the Away Star of the Game, and Brett Anderson made 29 saves in his 16th win of the season.

On Saturday, the potential first round matchup, Golden Rockets, rolled into town.

While this game had 112 penalty minutes, 75% of the penalty minutes - 87 minutes to be exact - went against the Golden Rockets. This lead to 14 power plays for the Kimberley Dynamiters.

However, similar to the game against Creston, the Rockets scored first.

Four minutes later, Palmer scored on the power play.

In the second period, Skytt and Derian Bamber both scored on the power play.

To start the third, the Nitros scored two goals within the first minute. Brady Daniels scored, on the power play, while Carter Spring scored the teams only even strength goal.

"We told them the flood gates would open if they kept doing what they were doing." Stuart said. "When you get that many opportunities on the power play, you are going to score."

Skytt would score his second power play goal of the game, and this game would finish 6-1 for the Nitros.

Adam Andersen made 17 saves for the win.

Skytt was named the Home Star of the Game, and has now scored at least one goal in the past five games, and has seven points during that time.

"It's always good to put them in," Skytt said. "Both those goals were unbelievable passed from Palmer and then Daniels. Got to credit them."

The Nitros dressed two affiliate players this weekend. Defenceman Brayden Penner ('02) dressed for Friday nights tilt, while forward Gavin Kennedy ('03) debuted on Saturday. Both players are from Cranbrook, BC.

"Penner was outstanding [in Creston], very impressive actually. He was great defensively, and great with the puck.

"Kennedy unfortunately was in a spot where it was a special teams game. He got a few shifts on the penalty kill and the power play. He stayed in the game mentally."

The Nitros now get ready for a repeat of this past weekends games, as they travel to Creston on Friday, and then host the Rockets on Saturday.

The Nitros will be looking to finish the regular season with their win streak intact.

Lead photo by Jeff Johnson

Podcast: Weekend Review; Kootenay Player of the Month from Golden; VIJHL Game Day Magazine

The Kimberley Dynamiters continue their pursuit of top spot in KIJHL, winning 10th in a row

The Kimberley Dynamiters are the hottest team in the KIJHL winning their ninth and tenth games in a row this past weekend.

The Nitros first task this past weekend was battling the Columbia Valley Rockies, a team that is tumbling in the standings, winning one game in their past 10 games.

After a scoreless first period, the Nitros scored two goals in the second period. Cam Russell scored a power play goal, the teams first power play goal since January 22nd; and then Neil Kingston scored his 11th goal of the season.

In the third, Ryan Skytt scored his fifth goal against his former team, to give the Nitros a commanding 3-0 lead.

The Rockies did score a loan goal that was sandwiched between groupings of penalties.

There was a total of 141 penalty minutes called, which resulted in the suspension of two Nitros and one Rockies player.

After the game, head coach and general manager Derek Stuart was not pleased with the amount of head contact calls, and wished the league would correct the calls. However, that did not happen.

The Nitros were without the services of Braiden Koran and Harrison Risdon due to suspensions for Saturday nights tilt against the Grand Forks Border Bruins.

This game was all Nitros as they unleashed for four goals in the first 20 minutes. Goals were by Jackson Bohan, Brock Palmer, Noah Danforth, and Skytt.

"The first shift was a great start to the game," Stuart said. "It set the tone and pace for the entire game."

The Border Bruins changed goalies to start the second, and it didn't make a difference. The Nitros lit the light another four times in the middle period. Keegan McDowell and Kole Halvorson scored, and Cam Russell added two.

The Border Bruins did score a goal in the second, but it was 8-1 when the period ended.

In the third, Palmer and McDowell each scored their second goals of the game.

When the game was finished, 10-1 was the score for the Nitros, and they outshot the Border Bruins 63-21.

"As a team, our forecheck, and our shooting, and our defence was unbelievable tonight," Russell said after the game, "it was a great game."

"It's another game in the last two months where we only needed two goals to win." Stuart added.

The Dynamiters now get ready for their second last weekend of the regular season. First visiting the Creston Valley Thunder Cats (10-32-0-3), and then hosting the Golden Rockets (22-21-2-2) on Saturday at the Civic Centre.

Lead photo by Jeff Johnson

Highlights: Kimberley Dynamiters 3-1 road win vs Columbia Valley Rockies

Ranking the KIJHL Goaltenders

It's time for the annual ranking of the KIJHL goalies.

There are a couple of changes to this year compared to last year.

First, goalies have been separated apart, those that have played 20 or more games, and those that have played 19 or less. The reason for this is two fold: Division Awards require that a player plays 20 or more games to be eligible for the award; and it helps show some of the workload that goalies have been carrying.

Second is the inclusion of the GSAA stat for this year. The GSAA helps calculate in comparison to other goalies how many goals the keeper has saved.

One last thing , and it is a spoiler (unless you have already scrolled to the bottom and looked at the stats and then came to read), is that Adam Andersen was voted the top goalie in the Kootenay Conference, and is first place. Daniel Paul was voted top goalie in the Okanagan Conference, and is fifth on this list. Caiden Kreitz aced all four categories in the 19 and under grouping.

Finally, these stats are up to February 3rd.

Here are the rankings (click to enlarge)

Above 20 games:

Below 20 games:

Kimberley Dynamiters January Player of the Month: Adam Andersen

Prior to Saturday's game the Kimberley Dynamiters announced that Adam Andersen was their January Player of the Month.

"It was very deserving, it was an easy pick," head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said. "He had an outstanding month."

Andersen had a 4-0-1-1 record in January while posting a 1.10 GAA and a .951 SV%, including one shutout.

Andersen's efforts in January also earned him KIJHL Player of the Month honorable mention.

Also, in an unofficial all-star voting by media personnel from around the league, Andersen was voted the Kootenay Conference's top goaltender.

"It feels really good, obviously," Andersen said "It's nice to get recognized when you can. I have to thank all the guys. I'm very lucky and thankful to play on a great team."

Andersen and the Nitros head on the road Friday to Columbia Valley, and then host the Grand Forks Border Bruins on Saturday.

Podcast: Weekend Review; Player of the Month; Compact Playoff Schedule

Webcast Interview with Chase Gedny

The Kimberley Dynamiters continue roll, winning 7th & 8th game in a row

The Kimberley Dynamiters continue to be red hot in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League winning their seventh and eighth game in a row.

First, the Nitros took their winning streak on the road to Invermere on Friday.

Lucas Chilton opened the scoring in the first period, with his second goal of the season.

Keegan McDowell scored in the second. He continues to be consistent for the Nitros, he has had a point in all but three games since December. In fact, in 41 games this season, he has only been pointless in nine games.

Thirty second into the third period, Brandt Bertoia scored his 14th of the season, tying him with Ryan Duley for 10th in Nitros all-time goal scoring with 55 goals.

The Columbia Valley Rockies scored a lone response goal in the third, to close out the games scoring.

Brett Anderson was named the Away Star of the game, and made 29 saves in his 15th win of the season.

Saturday, the Nitros hosted the Creston Valley ThunderCats. The two teams are separated by more than 50 points in the standings.

The Cats kept the Nitros close on the scoreboard through two periods.

Brady Daniels scored his 11th of the year during a chaotic play to open the scoring.

The ThunderCats tied the game early in the second period, as Aiden Wong, who tried out for the Nitros two years ago (and was cut), scored.

A minute later Spencer Kennedy, who has only been held pointless four times in 31 games, scored, keeping his 12-game point streak alive.

McDowell made it a two goal game, temporarily as the ThunderCats came storming back within one.

In the third, the Nitros penalty kill made up for the under-performing power play by scoring two goals six seconds apart. The first was by Carter Spring, then Neil Kingston scored the other. One second faster, and it would have tied the KIJHL record for fastest two goals. Despite not tying or creating a record, two short handed goals was impressive.

The penalty kill has been a strength for the team, "that is eight in a row without a power play goal against," head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said. "The guys that go on their are taking a lot of pride on the penalty kill, and working extremely hard."

When the game ended, Adam Andersen had made 17 saves for his 22nd win of the year.

"It wasn't our best game of the season," Andersen said after the game. "We have a lot of things to work on. But good teams find a way to win. I am happy with that."

Looking back at both games, Stuart feels that his team played just good enough to win both games, even though the team has been practicing how to win close games.

"We can't keep playing like, but we did what it took to win this weekend."

One area the Nitros need to improve on is the power play. "I think they are trying to be too cute." Stuart said. "And trying to do too much instead of being simple."

The Dynamiters are riding an eight game win streak heading into this weekends games against the Columbia Valley Rockies and the Grand Forks Border Bruins. The key to the Nitros success has been defence.

"It boils down to our team commitment to defence." Stuart said. "And our penalty kill. Those two are the biggest reasons why we are on an eight game winning streak."

"If we need one, or two, or three goals to win a game each night, I like our chances."

Friday's game is at 7:30pm in Invermere, and then 7:00pm on Saturday at the Kimberley Civic Centre.

Highlights: Kimberley Dynamiters win 3-1 against Columbia Valley Rockies