Saturday, 9 March 2019
Wednesday, 6 March 2019
Story: Update on Kidney Cancer Canada Fundraiser: $17,099 raised
Cliff Boychuk, a Kimberley resident diagnosed with kidney cancer, coordinated the Kidney Cancer Canada fundraiser with the Kimberley Dynamiters this past fall.
The fundraiser was in honour of Norma Ennis, a long-time Kimberley resident and Dynamiters fan, who died from kidney cancer in 2009.
As part of the fundraiser, the Dynamiters wore green kidney cancer jerseys that were then auctioned off. While wearing the jersey's the Nitros went undefeated.
Boychuk provided the following update and information regarding the conclusion of the fundraiser.
He announced in the letter: "The final amount donated to Kidney Cancer Canada Research Fund was $17,099"
The goal for the fundraiser was $10,000.
He then went on to say, "Kidney Cancer Canada and the Kimberley Dynamiters would like to thank the 29 people and businesses who each donated $200 to purchase the special Jersey’s which were worn for the month of November at home and away games.
"Thanks to the 29 generous buyers of the Game Worn Jerseys. The Kimberley Dynamiters went undefeated while wearing the Unique Green Kidney Cancer Logo Jerseys for five home and two away games during the month of November 2018."
Boychuk then expressed his gratitude,
"[Special thanks to the] Kimberley Dynamiters Junior Hockey team Board of Directors, Coaches and Players for their remarkable effort and co-operation during the fundraiser.
"Al Rice with his team of volunteer cooks and servers for arranging and hosting a fantastic Chicken, Ribs, Pulled Pork Sandwich Barbecue with salads at the silent auction. Preparing and barbequing the meat.
"R. Remington for driving from Calgary in winter conditions with his special barbecue trailer and then supervised the Barbeque and clean up before driving home.
"Calgary Flames for Team Autographed Jersey donation.
"Special Guest Al Coates former Calgary Flames GM for his donation of a Johnny Gaudreau Calgary Flames autographed Jersey, a Las Vegas Knights Marc Andre Fleury autographed Goalie Stick and a team autographed Montreal Alouettes Football.
"Jo-Anne Eckersley for the donation of the vintage Mark Messier Autographed Jersey and Photo.
"Josh Lockhart for providing coverage in his news articles and for his internet bidding support."
And last but not least, "all the people who donated to the cause in kind at the arena and online."
Boychuk ended the letter with the reminder that the fundraiser was in honour of Ennis.
For Boychuk, he was diagnosed five years ago with kidney cancer, and was given the prognosis of five years. He continues his fight, and can be found cheering on the Nitros at home games.
Personally, I want to say thank you to Cliff for letting me be involved in his awesome fundraiser. It was truly inspirational to be involved with such a motivated and passionate individual. We shall forever be Blackberry Passport fans forever!
Sunday, 3 March 2019
Story: The Dynamiters advance to round two after sweeping the Golden Rockets
Friday in Golden was the first playoff game in Golden in four seasons.
The Dynamiters scored five goals in a row before the Rockets responded in the third period.
Spencer Kennedy, a healthy scratch in game two on Wednesday, led the offensive charge, netting a hattrick before the completion of the second period.
"It was good to get back in the lineup, and help the team." Kennedy said. "Just do my best to help contribute. I got lucky with my goals, my linemates helped me out.
"I just need to be more consistent. I think I had a good response to being a healthy scratch."
Braiden Koran and Brady Daniels scored the Nitros first and fourth goals, respectively.
After the Rockets tally, Ryan Skytt would add the Nitros sixth goal on the power play. The Nitros third power play goal of the game.
By the end of the game, the Nitros had 16 power play opportunities to the Rockets 10, in a penalty filled game.
Brett Anderson made his KIJHL Playoff debut, making 20 saves, in the win.
Game four, a do or die game for the Rockets.
Jackson Bohan opened the scoring early in the first. This time, the Rockets had a response, as former Nitro Chad MciLwain tied the game at one.
After that, Keegan McDowell and the Nitros took over. McDowell scored two. Skytt made it 4-1.
Then Neil Kingston found the empty net for his first goal of the playoffs.
Adam Andersen made an astounding 41 saves as the Dynamiters swept the series.
Looking back at the series, Mitch Fargey said, "I think that as the series went on, the boys realized how important it was to play our game and consistently out work them."
For Nitros head coach and general manager Derek Stuart, he was pleased with how the eleven rookies have been performing, "They did great. There were obviously some times during the first two games where we might have been a little nervous.
"In Golden, I thought we played much better team hockey. It was good to see heading into the next round."
Kennedy added, "we went in and played our game. We used our size, we were good in the corners, we just executed good on plays, we used our speed."
Reflecting on the four game sweep, Stuart said, "I'm really happy with our team play in Golden, especially our team toughness... I thought all the guys played playoff hockey.
"I thought the first two games at home were a little lackluster in terms of energy and intensity. Those two games in Golden, those were true playoff games. I really liked how the guys played."
Shifting to the other series in the Eddie Mountain, the Fernie Ghostriders swept the Columbia Valley Rockies with an overtime win in their game four on Saturday night.
The Ghostriders and Dynamiters face off for the sixth year in a row in the playoffs. The last time the Ghostriders won a series against Kimberley was in 2012, and they needed seven games.
Unlike last year, when the Riders played really well in Kimberley, this year, the Riders have been a difficult opponent in their own barn. The Nitros have lost, tied, and won in overtime in Fernie.
"We have gotten better every time we have been there," Stuart said."I really like how we played the last two times we were there."
Overall in the regular season, the Nitros won the series 4-1-1, outscoring the 'Riders 17-11.
The fans are excited for this series to start, but so are the players.
"I'm excited. It's what the fans wants. It's what the players want. I'm looking forward to it."
"Fernie is our biggest rival," Fargey added, "So it will be a good battle and test for us."
According to Kennedy, there is one thing the Nitros need to do this series to overcome the 'Riders in Fernie: composure.
"Keep our heads, and keep consistent."
At this point in time, the schedule has not been released. The series will start in Kimberley, but could start as early as Thursday, or as late as Saturday; depending on ice availability in Fernie and Kimberley.
Lead photo by Robyn Wardle.
Match Sticks: Here is the recent history of the Kimberley vs Fernie series:
2018 first round, Nitros in 5
2017 first round, Nitros in 6
2016 first round, Nitros in 5
2015 second round, Nitros in 6
2014 first round, Nitros in 5
2013 - did not play eachother
2012 second round, Fernie in 7
2011 first round, Fernie in 4
Friday, 1 March 2019
Brock Palmer is the Eddie Mountain Division MVP and Top Scorer
Sitting third in KIJHL points, Brock Palmer was voted by the Eddie Mountain Division head coaches and general managers as the divisions Top Scorer and Most Valuable Player.
Palmer was succinct in how he felt about receiving the awards, "It feels great!"
In his second season with the Dynamiters, Palmer scored 27 goals and 54 assists in 47 games. Good enough for 81 points. He has a career total of 139 points, placing him 12th in Kimberley Dynamiters All-Time regular points, trailing Senate Patton by one point for 11th; and needing 11 points to surpass Leo Keefer to crack the top 10.
Palmer would need to post 75 points next season to surpass Jared Marchi (214 points) for the number one spot.
Until that point, Palmer is going to continue to be grateful for what brought him success this season, and continue it during the playoffs.
"I think the powerplay for sure had something to do with my success," He said. "Also Keegan and Gedny being able to score on my passes, made me look good.
"And I think being smart with the puck has led to almost all my success, so I have to make sure I am doing that all playoffs long."
In two playoff games so far, Palmer has one goal and six assists.
Lead photo by Jonathan Righton
Keegan McDowell named the Eddie Mountain Division Top Rookie
Coaches and general managers from around the Eddie Mountain Division cast their ballots and Keegan McDowell was named the Top Rookie in the Eddie Mountain Division.
"Feels great to know the other coaches and general manager’s recognize the hard work I put in and how my teammates helped me achieve it," McDowell said about the award. "[I] couldn’t have done it without my teammates or coaches."
McDowell was third overall in the league among rookies for points. In 46 games he scored 33 goals and 25 assists. He was also named a game star in five games.
Looking to the playoffs, McDowell plans to keep his habits similar to how they have been in the regular season.
"I try not to change my routine or habits throughout the regular season to the playoffs," He said. "I’ve been through a long playoff run before so just got to keep the same routine and focus on myself and how I may contribute to the teams success."
It's apparent his routines continue to bring him individual and team success. Through his first two KIJHL playoff games he has already accumulated six points.
Adam Andersen named Eddie Mountain Division Top Goaltender
Adam Andersen was presented with the Top Goalie in the Eddie Mountain Division Award by Kootenay International Junior Hockey League Vice-President Kathy Merkl. The awarded is voted by coaches and general managers in the division.
"It feels great to be recognized and it means a lot to me but I can’t thank my teammates enough." Andersen said about receiving the award. "We have a very special group this year and they’ve allowed me to have a lot of individual success that would be very difficult to have without them."
Here are some of the success Andersen has had during the regular season, he had the second most wins (26), tied for fourth most shutouts (3), second best goals against average (1.84), and fourth best save percent (.920), amongst all KIJHL goaltenders.
Earlier in the season, Andersen was voted by various KIJHL media personnel as the top goaltender in the Kootenay Conference.
For Andersen when he reflected on the season, he was able to identify habits and routines that brought him individual success, a good chunk of his routine is mental.
"I don’t even think about the upcoming game at all until I get to the rink," he said. "By not thinking of the game at all I have a clear mind all day and I’m not able to overthink things and I don’t get too worked up,
"That has allowed me to be in a good frame of mind come game time which I think has helped me have success this year."
Lead photo by Jonathan Righton
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)