JOSH LOCKHART
The Kimberley Dynamiters had a quick road-trip to Golden on Friday and then hosted the Columbia Valley Rockies on Saturday.
Both teams are trying to draw closer to the Nitros in the standings, and on Friday, the Rockets made a case.
Captain Chase Gedny opened the scoring with 4:22 left in the third, but two minutes later the Rockets tied it at one.
The Rockets took a lead in the second period, going up 2-1. But after the midway point of the game, it was all Nitros. Keegan McDowell, Spencer Kennedy, and Erik Delaire each scored a goal to make it 4-2.
Late in the third, Brock Palmer made it 5-2.
Brett Anderson turned aside 29 shots in his 10th win of the season, while Palmer was named the Away Star of the game. Palmer earned his 100th KIJHL point that game.
“It was pretty cool, it was in the back of my mind the whole game.” Palmer said. “I wanted it. It was a sweet experience.”
“It was a huge win for us, it was a hard game to play.” Head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said looking back at the game. “It was physical and tough, and our guys answered the bell.”
Next up was the Rockies, who are close behind the Nitros in the standings, and wanted to close the gap.
The Dynamiters exploded for three goals in the span of 59 seconds to start the game. Brandt Bertoia opened the scoring, with his 100th KIJHL point.
“I probably should have been aware of that.” Bertoia said after the game. “It slipped the mind, I was thinking about how we should have a hot start.”
Seconds later Delaire scored, followed closely by Cam Russell. In 90 seconds, the Nitros jumped into a massive three goal lead, and the Rockies changed their goalie after the first two shots went in.
Captain Gedny would add the Nitros fourth goal of the lead.
Then in a plot twist, with 5:29 left in the first, the Rockies scored on their first shot on net.
Before the period was over, Ryan Skytt scored against his former team. After one period, the Nitros were up 5-1.
It felt reminiscent of last week’s game against the Spokane Braves.
Until the second started, and the Rockies came back with force, scoring three unanswered goals, chasing Adam Andersen from the crease. After 40 minutes, the Nitros were barely holding on to their lead.
Captain Gedny led the charge in the second period, scoring two goals and completing his hat-trick.
“It’s a good feeling. I am just happy that the bounces are going my way,” Gedny smiled after the game. “Credit goes to my teammates, making all the moves and getting me the puck.”
Delaire scored his second and Keegan McDowell added another goal as the Dynamiters went on to win the game 9-4.
“It was an up and down game for us.” Stuart said after the game. “Two good periods, and one really bad period. Our two good periods were excellent.”
After the roller-coaster ride of a game, Gedny was named the Home Star of the game.
The Dynamiters had a game Tuesday at home against the last team that beat them, the Fernie Ghostriders. See the game report later this week in the Bulletin.
Bertoia says there is one mindset he and his teammates need, revenge. “They ended that huge win streak we had. When they won, they were shoving it in our faces, and honestly a lot of the guys have been thinking about this game for a while and looking forward to it.
“Especially in front of a home crowd, it’s going to be a good game. It’s going to be fun.”
MATCH STICKS: The Nitros acquired defender Kole Halvorson (‘98) from the Castlegar Rebels.