JOSH LOCKHART
When the Kimberley Dynamiters traveled to Creston on Friday, their 11-game winning streak was on the line, but so was their untainted November record.
Brock Palmer scored within the first 90 seconds of the game to give the Dynamiters an early lead. Keegan McDowell added the teams second goal before the end of the first.
McDowell would then score 45 seconds into the second period. The Nitros continued their scoring ways with Chad MciLwain scoring, and then McDowell with his hat-trick goal.
“It felt good.” McDowell said, adding that it was such a relief after having come so close before, scoring two goals in a game five times prior.
The Cats would score a couple of goals, but by the end of the second, the Nitros led 5-2.
The Nitros continued their theme of scoring early in the period, as Palmer scored his second of the game. Chase Gedny and Brock Palmer would then bookend the Cats lone third period goal.
The Nitros de-thundered the Thunder Cats en route to a 8-3 victory.
“It went really well,” head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said of the game. “They guys were skating, being physical, and attacking the net really well. We finished a majority of our chances. It went as well as we could have hoped for.”
Brett Anderson made 23 saves in the win. The star of the game, McDowell, had three assists to go along with his hat-trick.
“It was pretty crazy,” McDowell said, “I actually forgot my sticks, so I had to use someone else’s. Everything I touched seemed to go in.”
With that win, the Dynamiters won their 12th in a row, and went undefeated in the month of November.
The Dynamiters last lost back on October 13th to the Revelstoke Grizzlies.
Looking back on the month Stuart says, “the guys really took control of a quite a few games. For the most part we had great starts, showing the other team that: this is what you are up against.”
For Stuart the winning streak means a lot, “it shows the players how good we can be, if we put our mind to it and prepare properly for the game. Preparation is the most important part of a hockey game.”
The Dynamiters looked to continue their streak as the headed to Fernie.
The last time the Nitros played in Fernie Memorial Arena, Tyler Van Steinburg scored a the 2017 Eddie Mountain Division semi-final series overtime winning goal, Stuart recalled.
The celebration of being undefeated for a month, and winning 12-in-a-row came to a screeching halt in Fernie.
Kingston opened the scoring, but the Ghostriders had an answer, plus one more goal. After 20 minutes it was 2-1 for the ‘Riders, and that was all the scoring for the game.
“It was a lot of fun to be in that type of playoff type atmosphere.”
Adam Andersen made 28 saves in the teams first loss in 50 days.
“I hope our guys learned a valuable lesson playing in that arena. It’s not conducive to the way hockey is played nowadays.
“The skill and making plays in that arena it’s irrelevant, it’s so small.”
The Dynamiters return home this weekend, and host the Neil Murdoch Division leaders, the Nelson Leafs, on Friday; followed up by the Spokane Braves on Saturday.
MATCH STICKS: The recently acquired Ryan Skytt is expected to debut with the team on Friday night.
