The Kimberley Dynamiters eliminated the Creston Valley Thunder Cats from the playoffs with a 3-2 win in Game 6.
The series got off to a hot start for the Nitros, winning 6-0 and 5-2 in Games 1 and 2 on home ice. Games 3 and 4 were then held in Creston and the Thunder Cats bounced back with resounding wins of 7-2 and 6-3.
Game 5 was played in Kimberley on Friday, March 7. Luke Davies, the team's leading scorer through the regular season, continues to be a presence in the playoffs, scoring his third goal of the post season go give them an early lead.
Billy Kiray nabbed his fourth of the playoffs six minutes into the second, before Liam Munro put Creston on the board a few minutes later. Danik Reeves also continues to contribute offensively, scoring in the first 90 seconds of the third period and collecting a three-point game.
Creston captain Taylor Schmideder scored to keep his team in it with seven minutes remaining, but the Dynamiters' well rounded defence warded off their end-game push.
The Dynamiters took the 3-2 win, but it could easily have been a much more one-sided scoreboard, with Creston's Brendan Smith stopping 40 of 43 shots, compared to the 20 shots on net his team managed throughout the night. Smith played incredibly well throughout the series,
"We decided to play the way we can in the last two games," said Dynamiters head coach, general manager Derek Stuart. "They couldn't compete with us when we were playing our game. The last two games would have been blowouts if it wasn't for Smith."
The Dynamiters then headed back to Creston for Game 6 and the chance to clinch the series. Leading up to this, every game of the series had been won in the home team's arena.
Kimberley local Nate Murdoch scored five minutes into the first and Remy Spooner scored his first of the playoffs and of the night four minutes later. Creston's Daniel O'Handley then made it 2-1 heading into the second period, which would remain scoreless.
Spooner's second goal early in the third gave the Dynamiters some much-appreciated security. Creston's scored to make it a one-goal game with just over a minute remaining, but once again they were able to ward off the end-game onslaught and secure their victory, advancing them to the Eddie Mountain division finals.
They will now take on the Columbia Valley Rockies, starting with Games 1 and 2 on March 14 and 15, starting at 7 p.m. at the Civic Centre.
