Note: The Fernie Ghostriders lost the series to Kimberley in six games. They were a young team who exceeded expectations and topped the point standings in the Eddie Mountain Division. Congratulations on a fine season and we look forward to next season!
The Fernie Ghostriders are facing their biggest rivals in Round two and have spit their homes games on the weekend. The Ghostriders lost game one by a 5-2 score to the Kimberley Dynamiters then in game two they won 5-2.
Game #1 Overview
Kimberley had the best of the scoring chances in the first and scored two goals. Braden Saretsky from Jared Marchi scored on the PP at 12:30 then Coy Prevost from Sawyer Hunt and Eric Buckley scored at 8:53 and it was 2-0 at the end of the first.
In the second the Ghostriders were a much better team and with just 1:29 left- Justin Peers from Cole Keebler and Evan Reid scored to make it 2-1 at the end of two.
In the third with Brody Nelson in the Kimberley net in relief of Tyson Brouwer Dan Burgess scored his first as a Ghostrider from Will Lightfoot and Jason Yan tying the game at 2-2. With 4:23 left on the clock Eric Buckley got in behind the defence and took a pass from Alex Rosolowsky and scored the game winner. Kimberley added 2 empty net goals from Prevost and Saretsky for the 5-2 win.
Jeff Orser was in net for the Riders stopping 23 of 26 while Tyson Brouwer started the first two periods then in the third Nelson was in and made some great saves particularly the one on Cole Keebler’s breakaway. The shots were 29-28 Fernie and there were 553 at the game.
Fernie was 0-6 on the PP Kimberley was 1-3.
Game #2 Overview
The Riders Aaron Neufeld from Evan Reid and Sam Plaquin scored first on the the power play but then the Dynamiters answered back with two power play goals of their own. James Jowsey and Braden Saretsky scored the goals.
In the second the Riders Joel Burgess from Justin Peers scored the tying goal and Tayler Sincennes from Sam Plaquin and Aaron Neufeld scored what would turn out to be the game winner.
The Riders added two more in the third, Aaron Neufeld from Burgess and Burgess from Derek Georgopoulos and Cavin Tilsey scored the final touches. Jeff Orser was in net again and made one particularly big save in the third to help demoralize the Nitro’s.
The Riders were 2-6 and Kimberley was 2-5 on the power play and the shots were even at 29. Kimberley had territory for much of the game but the Riders kept them to the outside for the most part. As the players were leaving the ice Nitro Coach Jerry Bancks was goin at it with the referee. There were 663 fans at the game and games 3 and 4 will go in Kimberley Wednesday and Friday then back home in Fernie Saturday night.
Notes
Injuries are already taking a toll on both teams , especially for the Dynamiters who lost their #1 goalie Tyson Brouwer (95) 5-1 P/O record who left the game after the second period with a reported lower body injury. They also lost forward Sawyer Hunt (97) as well.
The Ghostriders started the series without forwards Doan Smith (95) and Spencer Bender (95) along with defensemen Travis Thomsen (95) then lost defensemen Matt Pronchuk (96) in game one. Coach Mohr tells us Doan Smith, the Riders top scorer
Kimberley and Fernie are legendary rivals and the regular standing placed Fernie on top with 78 points and Kimberley in 2nd place with 69. This series will be fast and tough as these two teams battle for the Eddie Mountain Division championship!
Be sure to get out and see this exciting series, the schedule for the remaining games is as follows:
Kimberley Schedule
Saturday – Kimberley 5 Fernie 2
Sunday – Fernie 5 Kimberley 2
Wednesday – Fernie 7 Kimberley 4
Friday March 6- in Kimberley at 7:00 PM
Saturday March 7- in Fernie at 7:30 PM
Monday March 9- in Kimberley at 7:00 PM
Tuesday March 10- in Fernie at 7:30 PM
