The Kimberley Dynamiters come back to then lose in OT to Fernie Ghostriders in Game Four

The Kimberley Dynamiters were looking to sweep the series with the Fernie Ghostriders in Sparwood on Tuesday night.

It became apparent early, that things were not going to go as planned.

Head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said that preparation and mindset were impacting the teams performance, "We didn't fully understand that the fourth win is always the hardest to get. Fernie is not going to give up."

The Ghostriders scored early to take their first lead of the series. They then built on their lead scoring a power play goal.

Mason Palaga responded with a power play goal for the Nitro's. But the Nitro's were outscored for the second period in a row (going back to Game Three's third period).

The Dynamiters continued to be outplayed in the second, being outshot 12-9. The 'Riders also added their third goal for a 3-1 lead. Making it three periods in a row that the Nitro's have been outscored by the 'Riders.

Hope for a sweep began to fade.

After 10 minutes of scoreless hockey in the third, James Farmer used the 2-on-1 as a decoy to roof a short handed goal. Cam Russell later tied the game with 4:32 left.

Hope restored!

"We realized it was time to get going." Stuart said, "Unfortunately we didn't realize that before the game got started, and that was the only difference. If we played the whole game like we did in the third, it would have been a different outcome."

The remainder of the third felt like overtime, as the Ghostriders did not want to lose.

With the game tied, it was headed to a 10-minute period of overtime. If nothing was solved in the 10 minutes, there would be a full intermission, and then 20-minute periods would resume.

All this game needed was one more shot. And that is exactly what happened. Mismanagement of the puck in the Nitro's end, led to an excellent opportunity for the Ghostriders. Scoring, winning, and forcing a Game Five.

"We weren't skating and playing our game until the third period. You can't play one period in the playoffs and expect to win." Stuart said.

"We got taught a lesson that things will not be handed to us, we have to earn everything. We didn't earn a victory last night, so we didn't deserve to get one."

For the Dynamiters, they can now regroud and have the comfort of playing from home against the Ghostriders.

"Just put it behind us." Staurt said. "We talked this morning that it is a good thing to face a little adversity, it will help us in the long run, it all depends on how we respond."

Game Five will be played tonight (Wednesday), and the Kimberley Civic Centre. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Kimberley Dynamiters February Player of the Month: Derian Bamber

On Saturday February 24, the Kimberley Dynamiters presented Derian Bamber as the Jewels on Ninth February Player of the Month.

"It's definitely a huge honour." Bamber said. "A lot of guys have played really well down the stretch but it's nice to be recognized."

In February the Grand Prairie defenceman scored two goals and four assists in seven games; and has so far added two assists in the playoffs.

"He was great in February." Head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said. "It was great to see him develop and play the way always hoped he could. He is playing better. He is better tonight than he was two games ago. It was very deserving."

Bamber, however, was quick to credit his teammates for his success during February,

"Over the past month all of the boys have been working really hard and that's made my job easier."

The Kimberley Dynamiters take a commanding 3-0 series lead after 5-2 win in Game Three

The Kimberley Dynamiters continue to find success against the Fernie Ghostriders. The Nitro's traveled to Sparwood to play the Ghostriders in Game Three.

As has been the theme for the past two games, the Dynamiters opened the scoring. This time it was Chase Gedny on the power play. Bryce McDonald then added another power play goal, giving the Nitro's an early 2-0 lead.

The Ghostriders were getting their fair share of chances, outshooting the Nitro's 16-10 in the first period.

Head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said that his team settled in more in the second period and continued to press. That was noticeable in the shot total, as the Ghostriders did not get more than eight shots in the second, and nine shots in the third.

The power play kept being an excellent source of goals for the Nitro's. Brett Roberts scored early in the second on the power play, and then Gendy added his second power play goal.

"There was no player in particular that stood out. Everyone played so well." Stuart said. "If I had to pick one group, it was our special teams."

James Farmer rounded out the second period scoring, adding a goal with 17 seconds left.

The Nitro's continue to spread out their scoring, they have 10 players averaging a point or more in the series thus far. Stuart says that this has contributed to the teams success, that each of the top three lines has been the top line in the past three games.

The Ghostrider's did fight back in the third, scoring two goals. It was the first time this series that the 'Riders had outscored the Nitro's in a period. For Stuart, and the Nitro's, they are not concerned about that. One of the 'Riders goals came on a 5-on-3, their second 5-on-3 opportunity of the game. As Stuart quickly said, "we had already put up five, we are not worried."

Cody Campbell made 31 saves, boosting his save percentage to .924, while his goals against average have remained steady at two. Gedny was named the Away Star of the game, a later recognized as being Hot in the KIJHL for scoring two goals and setting up two others.

For Stuart, he was really pleased with Braiden Koran. The affiliate player had already played a game earlier in the day with his midget team, and joined the Nitro's on an emergency basis. While he was held pointless, he played a critical role.

The Dynamiters now have a strangle hold on the series, and should expect Fernie to bring their best game on Tuesday in Sparwood.

Brett Roberts: Eddie Mountain Division Top Defenseman

"The winner of the Eddie Mountain, Regular Season, Top Defenseman was #40 Brett Roberts!" Announced during Friday February 23rd home game. "Brett made a huge difference on and off the ice while also leading his team to a first place finish in the league."

Roberts was presented with the award at centre ice by KIJHL Vice President Kathy Merkl.

"Its a huge honour," Roberts said, "I've faced a lot of adversity this year with injuries and other things so it's nice to see all the hard work pay off."

"Brett had an outstanding year, especially after Christmas." Head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said. "He got a lot better once he was comfortable with the team and being the captain, the leader of the team. Once that all became comfortable with him, he had a hell of a season. It was nice to see Brett rewarded for a great season in his 20 yearold year."

For Roberts, he knows his success would not have come without the team, "I think a lot of my success has come because of my teammates, our D-core was strong all year and I think we all helped each other stay focused on achieving our goals."

Brock Palmer: Eddie Mountain Division Rookie of the Year

"The winner of the Eddie Mountain, Regular Season Rookie of the Year was," came booming over the pa system at the Kimberley Civic Centre on Friday February 23rd,  "Number 10, Brock Palmer! Brock has had an amazing year with the Dynamiters, finishing first for his team and 12th overall in the KIJHL with a total of 58 points!"

Palmer was presented with the award by KIJHL Vice President Kathy Merkl.

"It's awesome." Palmer said, adding that it is the great that the league is recognizing him. "It's very rewarding."

Palmer credits his success to his linemates and his teammates.

"I'm going to sound biased here," head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said. "That's a no-brainer with the season he had.

"For an 18 year old to come into a league that he is unfamiliar with, and in a league with not many smaller guys have success, especially once teams get to know you, he just kept on producing points and playing well."

Palmer expressed a lot of gratitude, "I want to say thank you to everyone that helped me out," he said, "especially Derek Stuart, he has been awesome this year and has definitely helped me out."

Kimberley Dynamiters win Game Two, 8-2

After a quick start to Game One the Kimberley Dynamiters were hoping for more of the same in Game Two against the Fernie Ghostriders.

Cooper Page got the Nitro's first goal of the game 1:45 into the game. Bryce McDonald then gave the Nitro's a 2-0 lead, and this game seemed like it was on the same path as game one. However, the Ghostriders were able to put a stop to the goals in game one, and Cody Campbell made several key saves as the Nitro's finished 20 minutes of hockey with a 2-0 lead.

The Ghostriders came out quickly in the second period, halving the Nitro's lead. But 11 seconds later, Nicholas Ketola responded for the Nitro's. The Dynamiters then stacked up on power play goals from McDonald and Mason Palaga. Cam Russell would give the Nitro's their sixth goal with 1:48 left in the second. The 'Riders bookended the period with a goal, as the period ended with the Nitro's up 6-2.

In the third, Russell chased the Ghostriders goaltender from the net with the teams seventh goal. The Nitro's maintained their control on the game, and James Farmer added the icing on the cake with a power play goal from the point.

The Dynamiters entertained the 673 in attendance to an 8-2 taking a 2-0 series lead against the Ghostriders.

Campbell made 23 saves for the win, and Brock Palmer was named the Home Star of the game with 4 assists, he was eventually recognized as being Hot in the KIJHL.

"I thought the second period was our best, but I really liked all three periods. There weren't any lulls, and if there was, they ended quickly." Head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said after the game.

"They were very consistent. We mentioned that last night was irrelevant if they didn't back it up again tonight. I thought our consistency, hunger, and determination for everyone. I can't find a player that wasn't contributing. It was a great team effort."

Even though it was a team effort, there was one line that impressed Stuart:

"The Page-Davies-McDonald line was outstanding tonight. They got us on the board early and were the primary force driving our team."

The Nitro's face off against the Ghostriders tonight in game three of the best of seven series in Sparwood at 7:30 p.m.

Kimberley Dynamiters win Game One, 6-2

The Kimberley Dynamiters set a goal prior to the start of the series against the Fernie Ghostriders to have an excellent opening period.

Three goals on four shots in five minutes gave the Dynamiters the excellent start they were looking for. Nicholas Ketola scored the first goal of the series. Cooper Page added one followed by Brock Palmer.

"They were prepared and ready to go." Head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said of the team. "From the morning meeting the guys were focused, they were ready to go. I haven't seen us play that good of a period as a group in a long time, it at all this season."

Brandt Bertoia scored the teams fourth goal at the 7:24 mark, chasing Ghostriders' goalie Broc Merkl from the net, and Zak Larson took guard.

"We did as good as we could in the first." Stuart said, "I hate to say this, but it was almost as if the game was over after the first period, that's how good we were in the first."

The Ghostriders' did stop the bleeding as Jason Woodley got the teams first goal.

In the second period, the Nitro's coasted, and the 'Riders closed the gap. Defosse deflected a shot in that Cody Campbell didn't have a chance on to cut into the Nitro's lead, it was 4-2.

Bertoia gave the Nitro's a three goal lead with his second of the game.

Penalties then began to be a problem for the Nitro's, as they played shorthanded for the last 4:07 of the period. They were able to escape with a clean penalty kill.

"It was tough. We didn't help ourselves because we put it in cruise control. Our compete level went way down, our skating went way down, our battling for pucks went way down.

"But still, the team that is up 4-0 is getting a lot of penalties called against on them compared to the team that is down. Either way, part of it was our fault too."

In the third the two teams locked horns, for the lowest period shot total of the game.

With 2:30 left the Ghostriders' went all in and pulled their goalie. Campbell bailed the team out, and Bertoia finished the hattrick with an empty net goal.

"It was good." Bertoia said of scoring the hattrick. "It's good to turn it on at this time of year. This is the biggest part of the year. Especially against Fernie, I have never liked them and I never will. I have two buddies on that team, and during the game, I hate them."

Bertoia has now scored back-to-back hattricks against the Ghostriders.

"Bertoia was the best player again for the second time in a row against these guys." Stuart said. "He looked like he belongs in a different league. If it wasn't for Brandt, it could have been a different game."

Bertoia's line with Cam Russell and Ketola scored four of the teams six goals. Bertoia credits Stuart for putting the line together which has resulted in success.

"They are the fastest two forwards on our team, in my opinion. They can fly. All you have to do is get to the net and puckes will bounce your way. I couldn't ask for better linemates.

With the 6-2 win the Nitro's take an early 1-0 lead in the best of seven series.

"We got the result we wanted because we had such a great first period, we don't want to make that a habit." Stuart cautioned after the game.

Brandt Bertoia was named the Home Star of the game, and Campbell made 19 saves in the win.

Looking back at the game Bertoia said, "For the first 20 we were solid, lots of speed. That is our biggest advantage. We got away from our game once we got up three or four goals. We just played at their level for the rest of the game."

But it wasn't just Bertoia with his hattrick that stood out. For Stuart, Palmer, who is sporting a full-cage mask, also stood out. "Palmer was real good in the dirty areas. He showed  a lot of toughness there, taking some hits, going to the front of the net, and making plays on the wall."

While Roberts impressed defensively. "On the back end, Roberts was probably our best defenceman tonight."

The two teams face off again on Saturday at 7:30 at the Kimberley Civic Centre followed up with game three Sunday in Sparwood.

Lead Photo: Kimberley Dynamiters receive the banner for finishing first in the Eddie Mountain Division during the regular season. Taken by Jonathan Righton