The Fernie Ghostriders forced Game 5 Friday night with a 2–1 overtime win over the Kimberley Dynamiters at the Fernie Memorial Arena, keeping their Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season alive.

This wasn’t a dominant night—it was a necessary one. Down 3–1 in the Eddie Mountain Division final, Fernie needed a response and got it in the final second of regulation.

Nate Turton tied the game with the goalie pulled, finishing a play set up by Coden Fournier just before time expired. The puck crossed the line before the green light came on, and the officials got it right. That moment gave Fernie another chance—and they used it.

In overtime, Carter Singleton finished it. Fournier again in the mix, Singleton burying his fifth of the playoffs to extend the series.

Kael Svenson was the difference behind it. He stopped 33 shots and held Fernie in a game where they were chasing for long stretches. At the other end, Connor Baumbach turned aside 38 in a tight, low-scoring game that mirrored Game 3—another 2–1 overtime result, but this time flipped.

Kimberley opened the scoring through Nate Tillmanns and carried the lead deep into the game. It’s the first time this postseason the Dynamiters have lost when leading after two periods.

The series has shifted, but only slightly. Kimberley still leads 3–1 and heads home for Game 5 at the Kimberley Civic Centre on Friday, March 27. Game 6, if needed, returns to Fernie Saturday night.

There’s been a clear split in the series. Kimberley controlled the first two games on home ice. Fernie has answered in its own building with two tight overtime battles. The smaller ice surface and tighter environment in Fernie have changed how the games are played—less space, quicker decisions, heavier contact.

But the only number that matters now is 3–1.

Fernie has one win. They need three more.

Head coach Chad Scharff kept it simple after the game: a resilient group, one day at a time. That’s the situation. There’s no margin left, just another game to earn.

Game 5 decides whether this series tightens—or ends. Game 6 tickets will be for sale online…