The KIJHL Championship is down to its final four. Here’s a look at each series which begins tonight.
Kootenay Conference Final
Beaver Valley Nitehawks (1) vs Kimberley Dynamiters (2)
It was a split between these teams in the regular season, and the last time they met, the Nitehawks edged the Dynamiters in overtime, 2-1 on Nov. 23. That prompted Nitehawks head coach-general manager Terry Jones to say he’s not sure how much can be taken from those games considering how far back they were, especially because “both teams have probably changed a bit since then.”
“Derek’s teams always have strong special teams, they play really well in front of a very boisterous crowd (in the Kimberley Civic Centre) and their skill level is among the best in the league,” said Jones.
In their last game against the Fernie Ghostriders, the Dynamiters attracted a crowd of 1,623.
Jones said it feels as though each night a different player is stepping up whether with an important goal or a significant contribution.
“Our goaltending has been fantastic, our defence has been steady — I feel really good about where we’re at,” he said.
Both Landan Uzeloc and Karsten Hugenholtz have four wins each, while the veteran Uzeloc, 20, has a better goals against average (2.45) and save percentage (.915).
“Apart from one significant injury, we are fully healthy, rested and excited to get going,” said Dynamiters head coach-general manager Derek Stuart. “Beaver Valley is a great team with few weaknesses, but we’re ready for the challenge.”
Where the Dynamiters have looked very strong to Stuart is their focus and determination, which he says has been excellent.
“We are full of veterans and leaders and they’re all doing a great job with focusing on the next shift mentality,” he said.
Okanagan/Shuswap Conference Final
Princeton Posse (1) vs Williams Lake Mustangs (2)
The Posse were 2-0 against the Mustangs in the regular season with a 6-3 win on Dec. 5, then a 4-3 win at home on Jan. 23. Heading into their series against the Mustangs, head coach-general manager Colin Minardi feels his team is playing well after being challenged by the Kelowna Chiefs and Revelstoke Grizzlies.
“I’m proud of the way we handled the adversity in both series,” he said. “I think our group is buying into playoff style hockey. Everyone is finishing checks and playing with a bit more intensity and sandpaper. It really shows in our forecheck and we’ve been able to create more turnovers and transition that into some offensive zone opportunities.”
Justice Loewen, Bryton Morrow and Will Bell, the KIJHL’s most potent trio has continued their killer offensive production by combining for 60 points (Loewen – 22, Morrow – 21, Bell – 17).
Bell had five points against the Mustangs this season and Sharky Nowek played both games.
Mustangs head coach-general manager Tyrel Lucas is really happy with the way his group has been playing lately.
“We’ve been getting strong goaltending, staying disciplined within our structure, and have been able to capitalize offensively on our chances,” he said. “The focus now is to carry that momentum forward and pick up right where we left off last series.”
Jaxson Dikur has been tremendous in goal and has eight wins for the Mustangs with a .939 save percentage. Asher Lucas is averaging 1.44 points per game – he has 13 points in 9 games, while captain JP Desabrais has six goals and 12 points in 10 games. Desabrais had four points against the Posse, all assists, during the regular season.
