The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) is pleased to announce its Power Rankings for Week 17.
The Merritt Centennials went a perfect 2-0 on the weekend, highlighted by a dramatic comeback win on Jan. 24 against the Princeton Posse. Trailing 4-0 just eight minutes into the game, the Centennials battled back and earned a shootout victory. Callum MacLean forced overtime with his 10th goal of the season, Troy Horn scored the shootout winner, and Sam Saskiw stopped 23 of 24 shots in regulation before turning aside two more in the shootout. The Centennials followed that effort with a 4-1 win over the Chase Heat on Jan. 25, allowing the opening goal before scoring four unanswered. Kaden Wilkins led the way with two goals (7), including the game-winner, while Saskiw made 15 saves. The Centennials improved to 7-11 when allowing the first goal and sit 10th overall at 19-11-2-1, riding a six-game January winning streak.
The Revelstoke Grizzlies earned two wins in three games last week. They opened with a 3-2 road win over the Princeton Posse on Jan. 20, with Diego Smith scoring the game-winner late in the second period and Austin Seibel stopping 30 of 32 shots. On Jan. 23, the Grizzlies blanked the Osoyoos Coyotes 2-0 as William Stewart recorded his second shutout of the season — both coming against the Coyotes — with a 30-save performance. Jake Neufeld chipped in two points, including his 19th goal to open the scoring. Revelstoke closed the week with a 4-3 overtime loss to the Grand Forks Border Bruins on Jan. 24 in a rematch of last season’s KIJHL Championship. Neufeld scored 48 seconds into the game for his 20th of the season, Maddox Popke added two assists, and Seibel turned aside 48 shots. The Grizzlies are second overall at 26-5-1-2.
The Quesnel River Rush picked up a pair of wins last week. They opened with a 6-1 victory over the 100 Mile House Wranglers on Jan. 20, as Gavyn Schaufele scored the deciding goal and Isaiah Bagri recorded two goals (20) and four points. Rylan Benner made 27 saves to earn his first KIJHL win. On Jan. 23, Quesnel defeated the Chase Heat 9-4, fueled by a five-goal second period. Simon Hamilton scored the winning goal 9:11 into the middle frame, Bagri added two more goals (22), and Lynden Donald-Gorman and Brendan Kindlein each posted four-point performances. Kyan Gray made 27 saves as the River Rush moved to ninth overall at 19-13-3-1.
The Beaver Valley Nitehawks split their weekend. They opened with a 2-1 loss to the Columbia Valley Rockies on Jan. 23, with Ayden Probe tying the game midway through the second period on his eighth goal. Preston Shumate finished with 24 saves. The Nitehawks responded with a 6-0 win over the Spokane Braves. Karsten Hugenholtz earned his first KIJHL shutout, stopping all 31 shots, including 14 in the opening period. Brady Magarrell opened the scoring on the power play, while Brock Robertson led the offense with two goals (7). The Nitehawks sit fourth overall at 26-8-0.
The Grand Forks Border Bruins collected two road wins last week. They defeated the Sicamous Eagles 5-3 on Jan. 23, with Gairen Bona scoring twice (9), including the game-winner, in his third game with the club. Austin Tellefson added two goals (24), Hayden Evans recorded three assists, and Eric Kahl made 27 saves. The Border Bruins then edged the Grizzlies 4-3 in overtime, rallying from a 2-0 deficit. This was a rematch of last season’s KIJHL Championship. Brandon Gray scored the overtime winner and added two assists, Levi Astill had two assists, and Kahl turned aside 44 shots. The Border Bruins are seventh overall at 23-13-0-1.
