The Grizzlies captured their fifth KIJHL Teck Cup championship with a 7-1 victory over the Ghostriders at the Fernie Memorial Arena in front of 700 spectators. Daniel Wittenberg opened the scoring and captain Brady Schwab’s 2-0 goal proved to be the eventual winner. The Ghostriders broke Jozef Kuchaslo’s shutout bid with seven seconds remaining when Kaden Slobodian’s shot bounced in off a Grizzlies player.
The Grizzlies led 3-0 after 1, and 5-0 after two periods. Ethan Coventry, named the KIJHL Teck Cup playoffs Most Valuable Player, had two assists, one on the opening goal. Coventry finished with 13 goals and 24 points in 19 games. Kuchaslo earned the first star with a 26-save performance, while Levi Hall made 34 saves on 38 shots for the Ghostriders after coming in for relief of Nick Kunyk, who allowed three goals on 14 shots.
Also scoring for the Grizzlies were Jaylen Forsyth, Colton McLeod, Luke Aston, Jett Patola and Jackson Romeril.
Grizzlies head coach Jiri Novak on Coventry: “I think Ethan took his game in the playoffs to a different level. He was one of the key players during our playoff run as we relied on him in every situation. His line with Luke Aston and Daniel Wittenberg was just outstanding.”
Novak says he really liked how they came to the game and set the tone in the first period.
“We didn’t underestimate any detail and followed our plan and were rewarded at the end,” says Novak. “We were able to create offence and were tight defensively, which was key in this series. It looked like it was an easy series, but I would like to give credit to Fernie. They played hard every game and I would like to congratulate them for a great season.”
Novak says it feels “amazing and it’s something special” to win. He’s proud of the team.
“We had great leaders who stepped up in critical moments when we needed and younger players who were better every game,” says Novak. “I want to say thank you to Ryan Parent, who gave me the opportunity to be a head coach and to our coaching staff of Ryan Petrovic, Daniel Arnost and Billy Cooper. As well, our physio staff who took care of our players during the season and our scouts and fans – the best in the KIJHL. We are really happy we can bring the Teck Cup back home to Revelstoke.”
April 8/24
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Revelstoke Grizzlies | Fernie Ghostriders |  |
| Revelstoke leads Fernie 3-0
The Grizzlies are a victory away from clinching their fifth KIJHL Teck Cup championship thanks to David Ander. The 6-0, 175-pound forward took a pass from Alexander Bronswyk and beat Ghostriders goalie Nick Kunyk with a high shot glove side with 9:14 remaining in regulation. Kunyk saved 25 of 26 shots, while Grizzlies goalie Jozef Kuchaslo blocked all 29 shots he faced. The Grizzlies went 0-for-1 on the power-play, and the Ghostriders 0-for-4. |
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April 6/24
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Fernie Ghostriders | Revelstoke Grizzlies | |
| Revelstoke leads Fernie 2-0
Captain Brady Schwab opened the scoring for the Grizzlies on the power-play, then David Ander scored the winner eight minutes into the third with his second goal of the KIJHL Teck Cup playoffs to give them a 4-2 win over the Ghostriders. Colton McLeod secured the win with his sixth into an empty net with 1:11 remaining in regulation. Jozef Kuchaslo made 40 saves for the Grizzlies, including stopping 19 of 20 shots in the third. Lucas Desjarlais (two) and captain Taylor Haggerty (five) scored for the Ghostriders. Levi Hall also finished with 40 saves. The Ghostriders went 0-for-6 on the power-play. |
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April 5/24
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Fernie Ghostriders | Revelstoke Grizzlies | |
| Revelstoke leads Fernie 1-0
The Grizzlies scored all the goals they needed to take Game 1 of the Teck Cup Final in the first period with a 3-0 lead, en route to a 5-2 win. They got goals by Kesler Fyfe with his first, Kuy Schmirler, his first, and captain Brady Schwab with a deflection goal. The Grizzlies added two more in the second period, both on the power-play by Mikkel Hrechka and Brady Augot. The Ghostriders got on the scoreboard with two power-play tallies by Dayden Collier and Ben Skarsen in the first three minutes. Jozef Kuchaslo made 34 saves for the win, while Nick Kunyk was relieved by Levi Hall after surrendering four goals on 26 shots. Hall saved 20 of 21 shots. |
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