The Fernie Ghostriders have officially secured a playoff spot with nine regular-season games remaining! With the standings still tight, every point matters as the Riders push toward the postseason.
This past week, the Ghostriders faced off against the Kimberley Dynamiters, falling 3-2 in overtime in front of 1,027 fans at the Fernie Memorial Arena. The Riders kept the game close until the final moments, giving the crowd plenty to cheer for. The Ghostrider Board, Coaches, and Players thank the fans for their support—including the Kimberley fans who made the trip!
Game Recap: Kimberley 3 – Fernie 2 (OT)
First Period: Kimberley’s Tristan Weill (Kelly, Stephenson) opened the scoring on the power play, but Fernie’s Coden Fournier (Martin, Haggerty) responded, ending the period tied 1-1.
Second Period: Kimberley regained the lead with a goal from Nate Murdoch (Brlitz, LaForge), making it 2-1.
Third Period: The Riders battled back, with Riley Enns (Driebergen, Lambert) scoring on the power play to force overtime.
Overtime: Kimberley’s Jackson Murphy scored the game-winner after breaking in alone a couple of minutes into the extra frame.
Kimberley outshot Fernie 35-22, controlling most of the game, but Riders goaltender Nick Kunyk stood tall, making 32 saves to keep Fernie in it. His heroic stops in the third period earned the Riders a crucial point in the standings.
The post-game action brought some old-school intensity when Kunyk punched Remy Spooner in the face with his blocker as the teams were leaving the ice. A suspension of up to three games is likely, with the league expected to make an official ruling on Monday.
Looking Ahead: Road Trip to Spokane & Grand Forks
With Kunyk likely out, Cooper Anderson will step in as the starter this weekend. The Riders also need to find an emergency backup goalie (E-Bug) before hitting the road:
Friday, Jan. 26: @ Spokane Braves
Saturday, Jan. 27: @ Grand Forks Border Bruins (First place in the division with 181 goals—highest-scoring team in the league!)
Fans can watch the games live on FloHockey (subscription required) or head to the Fernie Legion on Hangover Avenue, where the bar will be showing the road games. Look for Jennifer, the Legion President and a longtime newspaper colleague—she’ll make sure you’re looked after!
Upcoming Home Games
The Ghostriders return to Fernie Memorial Arena for two big matchups:
Tuesday, Feb. 4: vs. Creston Valley Thunder Cats (Fighting for the final playoff spot!)
Friday, Feb. 7: vs. Beaver Valley Nitehawks (A perennial contender and always exciting to watch!)
Check fernie.com/events for full regular-season and playoff schedules.
Let’s pack the arena and cheer the Riders into the postseason!
Source: Rider News
