Story: The Kimberley Dynamiters and Revelstoke Grizzlies split Games One and Two

The Kimberley Dynamiters and Revelstoke Grizzlies split the opening weekend of the 2019 KIJHL Finals, a rematch of the 2018 KIJHL Finals.

Game One was played at the Kimberley Civic Centre in front of 1,524 fans.

The Nitros appeared to be in slow motion in the first period. The Grizzlies capitalized on that, and Cody Flann scored on the power play. silencing the large Nitros crowd.

The second period was scoreless.

In the third, the Grizzlies took a 2-0 lead with an early goal by Ryan Bedard. This was the first time in these playoffs that the Nitros trailed by two.

Keegan Mcdowell cut into the lead, giving the Nitros 14 minutes and 44 seconds to tie the game.

The Dynamiters couldn’t solve Liam McGarva, and the Grizzlies continue to remain undefeated on the road, now going 8-0.

"I really liked our second and third period. I didn't like our first period at all." Dynamiters head coach and general manager said. "That's three games in a row. It's probably about time that that's caught up to us and cost us a hockey game."

Grizzlies head coach and general manager Ryan Parent simply said, "We won." Then he added, "I feel [the game tonight] went well, on our end of it.

"It's one small piece. I don't read a lot into it, it is just one hockey game."

History doesn’t always predict the future, but, the last time the Nitros repeated a final appearance, they lost game one, and then eventually lost to the 100 Mile House Wranglers. Do keep in mind, that series was a 2-3-2 due to travel, instead of the typical 2-2-1-1-1.

This is the first time the Nitros have lost game one in a series since losing the 2017 Kootenay Conference Finals to the Beaver Valley Nitehawks.

The last time that the Nitros lost game one and then won a series was in 2015. The Nitros lost the first game of the playoffs, game one round one to the Creston Valley Thunder Cats, and then went on to win the 2015 KIJHL Title.

The last time Revelstoke won a game one and then lost a series, was in 2017 against the Chase Heat.

Moving on to Game Two, 1,204 attended.

The Dynamiters have not lost back to back games all season, and it was not about to start in game two.

Ryan Skytt opened the scoring, in similar fashion to how they were scored against in game one. Early and on the power play.

Braiden Koran made it 2-nothing before the first period was complete.

The Dynamiters kept pressing. Erik Delaire made it 3-nothing on the power play. Then seconds later Neil Kingston made it 4-0.

When a team is having a bad game, you can’t pull the team, you can only pull the goalie. Liam McGarva, arguably the best goalie in the Okanagan Conference was pulled, and Noah Desouza entered the crease.

The Grizzlies did end Brett Andersons bid for a shutout as Raymond Speerbrecker scored on the power play.

The Grizzlies pulled their goalie, and controlled the play, but the Nitros held on and won 4-1.

"The start was the key," Stuart said, "we wanted to focus on. I thought that was our best first period probably since the Fernie series."

"I'm not happy with the result, obviously." Parent said. "We are going to have to take a good look at the game and dissect it."

The series now shifts to Revelstoke for Games Three and Four on Monday and Tuesday.

The series will return to Kimberley for Game Five on Thursday.

MATCH STICKS: You can hear the full interviews from games one and two, including player interviews on the Nitros Night in Kimberley Podcast at nitrosfan.blogspot.ca.

Lead photo by Jonathan Righton.

Podcast: Game Two - KIJHL 2019 Finals

Podcast: Game One of the 2019 KIJHL Finals

Podcast: Kootenay Conference Champions! Series review against BV Nitehawks. KIJHL Finals Preview against Revelstoke Grizzlies

2019 KIJHL Finals: Kimberley Dynamiters vs Revelstoke Grizzlies; "It's like looking in a mirror"

When the Kimberley Dynamiters won the Kootenay Conference on Monday March 25, 2019; they didn't know who their opponent was going to be in the KIJHL Finals.

Now they do.

The Revelstoke Grizzlies. A rematch of the 2018 KIJHL Finals. The last time there was a rematch in the league finals was in 2003.

"We are elated to have the opportunity again." Grizzlies head coach and general manager Ryan Parent said. "Going back shows that Revelstoke is one of the perennial teams in the KI."

"This is the way it should be." Dynamiters head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said. "They were the best team in their conference, and we feel that we are the best team in our conference. The two best teams in the league are going at it."

For Dynamiters Stuart, though, he said, "it's like looking in a mirror," about playing the Grizzlies, and the many similarities between the two teams.

Both teams have eight veterans returning from last year.

The Grizzlies have: Bedard, Bodtker, Cadden, Flann, Irvine, McGarva, Pereverzoff, and Wiatzka.

"I'm a believer that you don't want to return everybody." Parent said. "We wanted to adjust some things from the year prior, we were able to do that."

The Dynamiters have: Andersen, Bamber, Bertoia, Chilton, Gedny, Palmer, Risdon, and Russell. The Dynamiters also have two rookies who were affiliates that dressed up in the finals: Koran, and Delaire.

"In terms of experience from last years final, there shouldn't be an advantage for either team, in my opinion." Stuart said.

Both teams current starters were backups last season. Andersen went 26-4-1 during the regular season posting a 1.84 GAA and .921 SV% while earning three shutouts. McGarva, posted a 2.01 GAA and .922 SV%, earning three shutouts and having a 27-4-0 record.

In the playoffs, Andersen is 9-1 with a 1.56 GAA, .943 SV% and two shutouts. McGarva has played a couple more games, but again, numbers are similar: 11-2, 1.89 GAA, .932 SV%, and two shutouts.

The rosters are also young. the Dynamiters have 11 rookies, while the Grizzlies have 12.

Both teams had 11 players with 30 or more points during the regular season. In the playoffs, both teams have six players with 10 or more points.

In the regular season, the two teams were separated by only three points in the standings. The Dynamiters with the edge, 88, to the Grizzlies 85.

During the regular season, the Dynamiters power play was second (25.43%), Grizzlies third (24.07%).  Grizzlies penalty kill was number one (92.11%), Nitros was a bit lower at fifth (86.35%).

In the playoffs, both the Grizz and Nitros are tied at 88.06% on the penalty kill. The Nitros have the slight edge on the power play 24.66% to 22.78%.

Even when you look at their playoff bracket, they are similar.

The Dynamiters swept their first two rounds against the Golden Rockets and Fernie Ghostriders. The Grizzlies swept their first two series against the Kamloops Storm and 100 Mile House Wranglers. The Nitros needed five games against Beaver Valley to advance to the league finals; the Grizz needed six to win their conference against the Kelowna Chiefs.

Anyway you look at it, these two teams are identical.

In the lone game the two teams have played against eachother. The Grizzlies won a nail-biter 3-2 at the Kimberley Civic Centre, the only game the Nitros have lost at home all season. However, that game was on October 13th, five months ago.

Stuart says that they will not be relying on that long ago one-game experience to prepare for this series. "So many things have changed. It doesn't mean anything heading into the series."

A difference between the two teams is travel. The furthest the Nitros have had to travel this post-season was 242 kilometers to Beaver Valley. For the Grizzlies, they had to go 406 kilometers to 100 Mile House.

"We are used to the travel." Parent said. "Travel for us is a norm."

Stuart didn't think that travel was going to be an impact. "We travel all year long. We will be going there a day early, it shouldn't have anything to do with it at all."

Going into this series, the Grizzlies are going to be relying on this years playoff push lessons, but also last years.

"We are taking a look at Kimberley, and I am sure they are taking a look at us." Parent said. "It's going to be a fantastic series all around.

"You are going to see two very good hockey clubs go head-to-head over the next nine days."

The Dynamiters are going to be watching a lot of video of the Grizzlies previous series against Kelowna.

"Our focus is going to be on us, but we will have to prepare for them," Stuart said, "because they are such a good hockey team."

The series starts Friday at the Kimberley Civic Centre at 7pm. Game two will be Saturday at 7pm. Tickets are available for purchase at 3pm both days.

Relive Brock Palmer's Triple OT Winner to Advance to KIJHL Finals

The Kimberley Dynamiters are the 2019 Kootenay Conference Champions

For the fourth time in the past five years, the Kimberley Dynamiters are the Kootenay Conference Champions.

"It's a good run this organization has going." Head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said. "Jerry Bancks started all of this, I am just trying my best to keep up and keep it going."

It took triple overtime for the Nitros to down the Beaver Valley Nitehawks and to advance to the KIJHL Finals. Nearly replicating last years double overtime win in game six against the Nelson Leafs.

This game though, felt like deja-vu.

The Beaver Valley Nitehawks opened the scoring. The only other time they opened the scoring was in game four, and they went on to win. Bradley Ross scored on the power play in game four, he did the same thing in game five.

To make matters worse, the Nitros did not get their first shot on net until there was 8:45 left in the first. They were doubled in shots 10-5.

The Nitehawks literally quieted the Nitros fanbase.

The 1,342 in attendance got more and more into the game as it progressed.

In the second, it was the Nitros turn to dominate a period. Outshooting the Nitehawks 18-4.

One of those shots was by Captain Chase Gedny, tying the game at one. The Civic Centre erupted to 110.8 decibels, louder than a helicopter.

Brock Palmer said about the noise level of the fans, "I think the noise makes it easier to focus. It gets you in the zone. When everyone is cheering, it is just so mesmerizing."

During the third, the Dynamiters took a one goal lead during a wacky play. The puck lofted over the Nitehawks stellar goalie, Noah Decottignies, hit the cross bar, landing the crease. A scrum ensued and Palmer poked the puck in. 2-1 Nitros.

Late in the third, penalties got the better of the Nitros. On a subsequent 5-on-3, the Nitehawks scored their second power play goal of the game.

With 5:40 left in the third, the game felt like overtime.

When the third ended, there was a short break and then a ten minute first overtime period. Resolved nothing.

During the full intermission, players and fans found ways to snack and be hydrated to keep their energy level up during the second overtime period.

The second overtime period was penalty-less. Fans were holding their breath with every Nitehawks chance, and waiting to celebrate when the Nitros had a chance.

Adam Andersen and Decottignies made it feel like this game was going to be a stale mate with their fantastic goaltending.

The second overtime ended without a winner.

Meanwhile, the Revelstoke Grizzlies won  5-1 against the Kelowna Chiefs. A game that started and ended during the Nitros and Nitehawks game.

Third overtime. Brock Palmer. All alone as his linemates were changing. Found a weak spot in the Nitehawks goalies armour, and won the game 51 seconds into the third overtime period!

"It was crazy. It was nuts." Palmer said. "All the fans in the building, it's such a great atmosphere."

The crowd erupted.

The Nitros celebrated.

Kootenay Conference Champions.

"To get to where we are now feels outstanding," Stuart said, "the guys have earned it every step of the way. They should be proud of themselves."

After the game, the two teams kept the hockey tradition and shook hands. The Dynamiters were also presented with the 2019 Kootenay Conference Champions banner. No one touched it.

Now the Nitros wait for the outcome of the Revelstoke and Kelowna series. Revelstoke leads the series 3-2.

If Kelowna wins, the KIJHL Finals start in Kelowna. If Revelstoke wins, the KIJHL finals start in Kimberley.

In either case, the Finals start Friday March 29.

For now, the Nitros will enjoy the feeling of the win as they take a day off.

MATCH STICKS: In a terrible turn of events for the Kelowna Chiefs, their team President and General Manager, Grant Sheridan, was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. He is currently in ICU at Kamloops hospital.

Lead photo by Jonathan Righton