The Ghostriders played most of their non divisional games earlier in the season and since December have played 17 divisional games and only 3 non divisional games . And it’s starting to show!!! The Ghostriders went into Creston last Saturday and defeated the Cats by a 3-2 score but not before several cheap shots, altercations and even a suspension. Here’s Rider Coach Will Verner on last Saturday’s game in Creston. The brackets after some of the player’s names are by RN for the fans who don’t remember some of the history.

“Maybe it all started years ago before both Joe ( Creston Coach Joe Martin ) and myself were with our respective clubs or in our 1st year ( 2007/08) when Adam Taylor (who played in Creston but a year later played in Fernie ) jumped Jordan Reid, Tim Crawley manhandled Travis Ludwar or maybe it was the playoff series from last year that has got this rivalry heated up. This season the games against Creston have been intense, physical battles . Neither team wants to give the other an inch and will do anything to keep the other team from winning.. Our record going into Friday’s game vs. Creston is 4-2-0-1 with Creston winning 3 straight games during the month of December. Creston is a big, physical team that gets up for playing our club. With the playoffs looming Friday night’s game will be very entertaining and very physical.

RN Well the Creston game on Friday sounds like a game we will be attending. Fernie had to kill off several penalties in the Creston game but the Ghostriders were perfect in that department. We asked Coach Verner, who was very happy with his PK Saturday night, just who were the stars of the PK and what about all the penalties.

Verner – “It was a team effort killing 16 straight minutes of penalties. Creston was awarded a 9 minute power play when their player #6 ( Steven Casselman ) would not stick up for himself after he cross checked Thomas Abenante in the head. No penalty was called on #6 and we just wish he stepped up for his incident and dealt with the consequence. If the game is not governed correctly by the officials then the players need to take matters into their own hands and deal with major penalties. This game saw many head shots -both ways-, hits from behind -both ways- and severe slashing and cross checking go unpunished. This is going to happen from time to time when the official is not prepared. When this is the case players have to police themselves and players need to be accountable for their actions”.

RN Now I’m really going to the Creston game on Friday. Were always talking about the forwards because they are on the score sheet so much so we’ll change it up a bit and ask about the defensemen that had good game in Creston.

Kade Pilton had a strong game. He moved the puck well, was physical and played disciplined and Mark Strachan did a great job filling in for an injured Evan Burgess.

RN Josh Garneau recieved a gross misconduct at end of game and Marty Wicks and Zach Baba also had misconducts.

Verner “ I have not read the report but after Josh was hit to the head twice during the game and once in the last minute of play where his helmet was knocked off he had some choice words for the official. – We hold our players accountable and the league will impose the automatic 3 game suspension on Josh. The one who should be suspended will not as he has no consequences.

Zach Baba stepped up for our captain Thomas Abenante as he was cross checked in the head. This could have easily saw us get the powerplay and no incident but no call was made. Marty Wicks stepped up for Andrew Walton after he was bumped. #11 (Cody Antos) did recieve a goaltender interfence but no penalty during the fight that saw him throw punches with his gloves on and then turtle. It is funny Creston has always played with so much heart and battle and to see two of their guys decide not to stick up for themselves is disappointing. I guess it is always passed on to the wariors. The guys like Ward (Creston) , or Baba, McDougall (Creston) or Morton, Ludwar (Creston) or Wicks, Dawe (Creston) or Burgess , Those guys don’t ask questions they just stick up for themselves and their teammates.

RN When will Connor McLaughlin get into the lineup …

Verner “We will see how Connor goes and it would be great to see him back this weekend. If not he should be ready for the Home and Home with Kimberley on the 11,12. Jordie Cool should return on Tuesday from Tumbler Ridge where he has been with his family after a devastating avalanche took the life of a very close family friend. Evan Burgess will skate this week and should be back in on Friday while Josh McSkimming continues to rehab. Finally Alex Milhousewill be with the Prince George Spruce Kings of the BCHL though Feb 8, so he will not be in the line-up this coming weekend.

RN Both goalies played last weekend and both guys won their games.