The Fernie Ghostriders defeated the Kimberley Dynamiters 4-3 in overtime, with Domenic Rattai scoring twice to cap three home games in five days with two victories.
A crowd of 917 fans at Fernie Memorial Arena watched the Ghostriders battle back from three deficits to claim an important victory over one of the BCHC’s strongest teams.
Kimberley opened the scoring on an early power play from Brayden Schwartz before Jaden Piper tied the game with a power-play goal, assisted by Liam Breakenridge.
Carson Brookes restored Kimberley’s advantage, but Max Boyle tied the game in the second period, assisted by Breakenridge and Kellen Hale.
Avery Lynch put Kimberley ahead 3-2 on another power play before Rattai delivered a spectacular end-to-end goal to level the score.
Following a scoreless third period, Fernie goaltender Kael Svenson made a crucial overtime save before Rattai and Piper combined on the winning play. Rattai scored the overtime winner, with Piper and Sawyer Samycia earning assists.
Piper finished with a goal and two assists, while Fernie outshot Kimberley 35-27.
The victory was particularly impressive considering Fernie was missing five regular players: Garrett Buchanan, Koa Percival, Carter Singleton, Mattias Schoffner and Jackson Roberts.
Head coach Chad Scharff praised the team’s resilience.
“I’m extremely proud of our group tonight. Coming into this game, we knew we were going to be shorthanded, but our mindset was never going to be about who wasn’t in our lineup.”
With regular defencemen unavailable, Stephen Jones took on an expanded role and earned special recognition from Scharff.
“I thought Stephen Jones was unbelievable tonight. In my opinion, he was an absolute force every time he stepped on the ice.”
Young players Nixon McDonald and Rayne Jones also stepped into important roles against Kimberley’s experienced lineup.
“What I loved most about tonight was how connected our group was,” Scharff said. “Nobody was feeling sorry for themselves. Nobody was looking for an excuse.”
Ghostriders Rebound After Mixed Weekend Results
The overtime victory followed a weekend split at Fernie Memorial Arena.
On Friday, November 6, the Ghostriders fell 3-0 to the Osoyoos Coyotes despite directing 35 shots at goaltender Sam Koester, who recorded the shutout.
Fernie rebounded Saturday with an entertaining 8-5 victory over the Princeton Posse.
Ryder McAslan and Trip Jensen scored twice each, while the Ghostriders capitalized on Princeton penalties with five power-play goals. Four of Fernie’s eight goals came in the third period.
The three-game homestand produced two victories and highlighted the team’s offensive depth and ability to respond to adversity.
Ghostriders Hit the Road Before Next Home Game
The Ghostriders return to the road for games against the Princeton Posse on Friday, November 13, and Merritt Centennials on Saturday, November 14.
Fernie’s next home game is Saturday, November 28, against the Columbia Valley Rockies, with puck drop at 7 p.m. at Fernie Memorial Arena.
Follow the Ghostriders home games here.
