The Kimberley Dynamiters split their weekend schedule, dumping the league-leading Nelson Leafs 4-2 on Friday, but falling 6-4 to the Grand Forks Border Bruins at home on Sunday.
The Nitros currently occupy second place in the Eddie Mountain Division and trail the Fernie Ghostriders by a point, however, their Elk Valley rivals have five games in hand.
Kimberley got things started six minutes into the game on Friday, off an effort from Taylor McDowell, but Nelson responded on the power play with just under three minutes left in the period.
However, 22 seconds after the Leafs drew even, Dallin Wolf put the Nitros back in the lead.
Connor Kutzner increased the lead to two in the second period on the powerplay in the frame’s only goal.
The two teams traded goals in the final period, as Kimberley’s Matt Gann notched another power play marker, while the Leafs scored within the final minute from Matthew Naka.
Kimberley goaltender Matthew Mitchell made 35 saves, whle Brett Soles stopped 16 shots for Nelson.
The Nitros were good for two goals in six chances on the man-advantage, while the Leafs capitalized once with the same amount of opportunities.
It was a different game on Sunday against Grand Forks as the Nitros gave up three goals in the opening period that led to the eventual 6-4 loss.
Kimberley scored three times in the final period, but fell short of a comeback.
Grand Forks got it going with early goals from Jackson Purvis and Connor Gross, while Dakota Kittle notched a power play marker—all within the first ten minutes.
Andrew Miller responded for Kimberley with five minutes remaining in the period to get the hometown team on the board.
The Border Bruins were able to hold the Dynamiters scoreless in the middle period, while adding to their lead on an effort from Connor Bowen.
Kimberley staged a comeback in the third period, scoring twice; a shorthanded goal from Jason Richter, while Corson Johnstone lit the goal lamp.
With ten minutes to go in the game, the Border Bruins made it 5-3, when Brendan Enns restored a two-goal lead.
Sam Nigg put the Nitros back within a goal, but Connor Gross found the empty net in the final minute to make it a 6-4 final.
