Wednesday, 6 December 2017
Tuesday, 5 December 2017
Monday, 4 December 2017
The Kimberley Dynamiters add Ryan Keilty from the Nelson Leafs
Friday was a busy day in the KIJHL as it was a roster trimming deadline, teams needed to have no more than 25 player cards.
The Kimberley Dynamiters had released Austin Lawson and Tyler Van Steinburg, and then added Colby Sherlock the day prior to the deadline; leaving one spot open.
"Ryan will add to our team speed and make our penalty kill even stronger." Head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said. "Everyone I spoke to had nothing but great things to say about Ryan’s character, team first attitude and work ethic.
"He was able to contribute on a daily basis for the league’s top team and we are confident he will do the same with us."
For Keilty the trade was news to him, saying it was a pretty quick turnover of being called down to the Leafs office, being told he was traded, and then Stuart calling and welcoming him to the team.
The defensive forward is optimistic about playing with the Dynamiters, "I'm looking forward to playing with the style of play that the Nitro's have because they move the puck and play very quickly. I think my game will fit in well with their system"
This is Keilty's first season in the KIJHL, and in 23 games with the Nelson Leafs he has scored four goals and one assist.
The Summerland, BC native played for the Seattle Ravens of the U.S. Premier 3 Hockey League (Tier III) the season prior scoring 20 goals and 45 assists in 40 games.
Keilty is anticipated to be in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Creston Valley Thunder Cats.
Kimberley Dynamiters November Player of the Month: Cam Russell
Before Friday's match against the Fernie Ghostriders, the Kimberley Dynamiters named Cam Russell as their November Player of the Month.
During eight games in November, Russell scored two goals (both power play goals) and six assists, while being named the Star of the Game three times.
"Cam is starting to play his best hockey and is contributing in every area of the game." Head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said. "He was consistently our best player in those eight games."
Russell is grateful for the recognition, "Well you kind of appreciate the notice and are excited to be in a good place with your game."
He added that it is his linemates that helped contribute to his success, "I think my line mates the last couple of weeks have been outstanding and have pushed me to help the line get progressively better no matter where I’m playing and that’s huge."
Russell then went on to score two goals this past weekend, bucking the player of the month jinx.
Lead photo by Jonathan Righton
Kimberley Dynamiters maintain their lead in the division with two wins past weekend
The Kimberley Dynamiters continued their hosting of divisional opponents. They first hosted the Fernie Ghostriders on Friday, and then the Columbia Valley Rockies on Saturday.
As expected, a matchup between the Ghostriders and Dynamiters lived up to the expectations. It was a goalie duel between 'Riders Broc Merkl, who played for the Nitro's earlier this season but was cut from the team when Cody Campbell returned, and it was Campbell manning the Nitro's net.
Cam Russell, who was named the teams November player of the month, opened the scoring in the first as he chased down the rebound from Bryce McDonald's break.
In the second the Nitro's built on their lead as Nicholas Graham deflected in Matt Davies' shot. The 'Riders would respond as the second period wound down, making it a 2-1 game.
Minutes later Davies, Russell, and Brandt Bertoia combined for a beautiful tic-tac-toe play that Russell finished, giving the Nitro's a 3-1 lead going into the second intermission.
The Dynamiters would hold onto their two goals lead for 17 minutes before the 'Riders pulled their goalie and scoring, making it a one goal game. The 'Riders, as anticipated, upped their attack, but Campbell and the Nitro's would cling on to win the game 3-2.
Campbell made 33 saves in front of the 676 in attendance as he was named the Home Star of the game.
Next up was the Columbia Valley Rockies. The Rockies keeper, Joshua King was riding a three-game win streak heading into the game.
For the recently added Colby Sherlock, this was an emotional game against he former team.
"I thought tonight he was excellent. He was very effective. He showed us and the fans why we acquired him, he is physical and he can skate. He's a smart player and is happy to be here."
Russell opened the scoring again, as his line of McDonald and Bertoia started showing their potential. For Russell, he was bucking the trend of the player of the month jinx.
"It’s awesome to get the player of the month but you can’t get in your own head about it. Nothing changes you gotta go play your game." Russell said, "It’s not really something that came across my mind as I would be prepping for the two games."
The Rockies would respond five minutes later and this game was tied at one after 20 minutes.
"I really liked our first period," Head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said. "We hit three posts and crossbar. To me, that kept the Rockies in the game, and they built momentum off that."
After the midway point in the second, McDonald would score two goals three minutes apart to give the Nitro's a two goal lead. Those were McDonald's first goals with the Nitro's.
"It definitely felt really good,especially the second one being the game winner. We needed those 2 points." McDonald said after the game, adding that he is getting more comfortable with the team, linemates, and the larger ice-surface.
The Rockies would cut into the lead, 3-2, before the middle period ended.
"For whatever reason our second periods at home are not very good." Stuart said. "Their not terrible, but they are not as good as the first or third."
The Nitro's then would dig in and hold the Rockies at bay. Chase Gedny and Davies would each score to give the Dynamiters a 5-2 win.
"For some reason, in third periods, if games are close we seem to crank it up in the third."
McDonald would be named the Home Star of the game, and Campbell would make 22 saves for the win.
Campbell showed with his 55 saves on 59 shots that last weekends outing against the Cats was an outlier.
"In his KI career he has had two or three games like he had last Saturday," Staurt said, "and the next game he has been fantastic.
"We have no worries when Cody has a rough night, just like everyone else does, but he bounces back better than a lot of people."
Due to the penalty filled game against the Cats two Saturday's ago, the Nitro's had 17 skaters in the lineup against the 'Riders, and then had a full 18 against the Rockies. Filling one of those roster spots was 16 year old affiliate player Jackson Bohan.
"Bohan is very good, that is a credit to his coach in Trail. And another credit to them is they leave it up to their players if they want to come here or not."
"He did a great job stepping in, you couldn't really tell he was an affiliate. We'd love to see him in a Nitro's jersey full-time next year."
The Dynamiters now get ready to travel to Creston to play the Thunder Cats on Tuesday, a game that everyone around the league will be watching.
Stuart is hoping to build off the disappointment of the last game,"I’m hoping the guys build off the motivation Creston gave us in the last period we faced them."
Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. at the Johnny Bucyk Arena.
As expected, a matchup between the Ghostriders and Dynamiters lived up to the expectations. It was a goalie duel between 'Riders Broc Merkl, who played for the Nitro's earlier this season but was cut from the team when Cody Campbell returned, and it was Campbell manning the Nitro's net.
Cam Russell, who was named the teams November player of the month, opened the scoring in the first as he chased down the rebound from Bryce McDonald's break.
In the second the Nitro's built on their lead as Nicholas Graham deflected in Matt Davies' shot. The 'Riders would respond as the second period wound down, making it a 2-1 game.
Minutes later Davies, Russell, and Brandt Bertoia combined for a beautiful tic-tac-toe play that Russell finished, giving the Nitro's a 3-1 lead going into the second intermission.
The Dynamiters would hold onto their two goals lead for 17 minutes before the 'Riders pulled their goalie and scoring, making it a one goal game. The 'Riders, as anticipated, upped their attack, but Campbell and the Nitro's would cling on to win the game 3-2.
Campbell made 33 saves in front of the 676 in attendance as he was named the Home Star of the game.
Next up was the Columbia Valley Rockies. The Rockies keeper, Joshua King was riding a three-game win streak heading into the game.
For the recently added Colby Sherlock, this was an emotional game against he former team.
"I thought tonight he was excellent. He was very effective. He showed us and the fans why we acquired him, he is physical and he can skate. He's a smart player and is happy to be here."
Russell opened the scoring again, as his line of McDonald and Bertoia started showing their potential. For Russell, he was bucking the trend of the player of the month jinx.
"It’s awesome to get the player of the month but you can’t get in your own head about it. Nothing changes you gotta go play your game." Russell said, "It’s not really something that came across my mind as I would be prepping for the two games."
The Rockies would respond five minutes later and this game was tied at one after 20 minutes.
"I really liked our first period," Head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said. "We hit three posts and crossbar. To me, that kept the Rockies in the game, and they built momentum off that."
After the midway point in the second, McDonald would score two goals three minutes apart to give the Nitro's a two goal lead. Those were McDonald's first goals with the Nitro's.
"It definitely felt really good,especially the second one being the game winner. We needed those 2 points." McDonald said after the game, adding that he is getting more comfortable with the team, linemates, and the larger ice-surface.
The Rockies would cut into the lead, 3-2, before the middle period ended.
"For whatever reason our second periods at home are not very good." Stuart said. "Their not terrible, but they are not as good as the first or third."
The Nitro's then would dig in and hold the Rockies at bay. Chase Gedny and Davies would each score to give the Dynamiters a 5-2 win.
"For some reason, in third periods, if games are close we seem to crank it up in the third."
McDonald would be named the Home Star of the game, and Campbell would make 22 saves for the win.
Campbell showed with his 55 saves on 59 shots that last weekends outing against the Cats was an outlier.
"In his KI career he has had two or three games like he had last Saturday," Staurt said, "and the next game he has been fantastic.
"We have no worries when Cody has a rough night, just like everyone else does, but he bounces back better than a lot of people."
Due to the penalty filled game against the Cats two Saturday's ago, the Nitro's had 17 skaters in the lineup against the 'Riders, and then had a full 18 against the Rockies. Filling one of those roster spots was 16 year old affiliate player Jackson Bohan.
"Bohan is very good, that is a credit to his coach in Trail. And another credit to them is they leave it up to their players if they want to come here or not."
"He did a great job stepping in, you couldn't really tell he was an affiliate. We'd love to see him in a Nitro's jersey full-time next year."
The Dynamiters now get ready to travel to Creston to play the Thunder Cats on Tuesday, a game that everyone around the league will be watching.
Stuart is hoping to build off the disappointment of the last game,"I’m hoping the guys build off the motivation Creston gave us in the last period we faced them."
Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. at the Johnny Bucyk Arena.
Friday, 1 December 2017
Kimberley Dynamiters add KIJHL vet, and division rival, Colby Sherlock to the team
Sherlock is in his third season with the Rockies, and was surprised, if not even shocked, to be traded to a division rival.
Sherlock learned of the trade on Friday evening when the Rockies coach called him into the office. Since then it has been an emotional time for him.
"It caught me off guard that I got traded in the division, especially since I have been playing for the Rockies for three years." Sherlock said over the phone as he finished packing his billet home in Invermere. "Change is good, and I will take it as a positive.
"But there is a lot of emotions leaving a team that you have played for for three years."
The Sicamous native has played in 94 games with the Rockies scoring 16 goals and 17 assists. He has also played in four playoff games scoring one goal in 2016. He was recognized as the teams Playoff Player of the Year that season. Last season, he was recognized as the Most Dedicated player on the team.
When Sherlock tried to deduce why he was traded, he was still caught up in the emotions of being blind-sided by the trade.
"I think a chance to go deep in the playoffs had something to do with [the trade]." He said trying to understand why he was traded away, but then in optimism he said that he must have impressed the Nitro's coaching staff. "They think I can help their team because I play a fast physical game."
Sherlock was able to joke that it will be very interesting on Saturday when the Nitro's host the Rockies, adding that it will be an emotional game. But overall he is just hopeful of what the future may bring now that he is a Dynamiter.
"Have a good rest of the year, and hope to go as far was we can go in the playoffs."
Head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said "We’re very happy to welcome Colby to our team.
"He is big and strong, plays physical and is a very good skater. Being able to add a veteran of 100 KIJHL games will help us now and come playoffs"
Sherlock is expected to debut in tonight's game against the Fernie Ghostriders.
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