Rider News
After three exhibition games the Ghostriders have a 2-1 record and will play Kimberley again this Friday in Fernie at 7:00
Head Coach Chad Scharff Questions
Rider News: How did the first month with your new team go Chad ?
Scharff “Over the course of the last couple weeks we have been very impressed with the maturity and “buy in” from the entire group. It’s never easy when new coaches come in for players to grasp everything right away but our group has done an excellent job with that”. “Through 3 exhibition games we believe that we are moving the needle in the right direction”
RN: We saw a couple of new players in the lineup Saturday in Kimberley ?
Scharff “Yes we added two, Eric Jiang 06’ has been a nice addition to the back end. He is a smart, great skating D-man who will be a calming addition to the D core”
“And Nathan Flanagan is an 06’ forward who comes in with a ton of skill and a great understanding for the net, he will be a player to watch”.
RN: In case you were wondering, Eric Jiang played at the Pacific Coast Hockey Academy last year and is from Montreal, and Nathan Flanagan played in Okotoks with the Oilers AAA U18 team.
RN, What about the goalie situation ?
Scharff “Drew Cadenhead 05’ has been a very solid complement to our goaltending position. Drew will be a very strong partner of starting goalie Nick Kunyk”
The Games
The Riders won 5-4 in overtime in Golden when Colby Driebergen (Martin-Peigan) scored the OT game winner then in Fernie Coden Fournier (Johnson-Rothfos) scored in overtime for an identical 5-4 home ice win. In Kimberley the Riders lost 3-2 to a mostly rookie lineup. Kimberley will play Nelson on Wednesday then here in Fernie Friday the 13th…what could go wrong.
PP
Golden made a mess of the game sheet but I think the Riders scored a couple on the power play, and at home they scored two, but in Kimberley they went 0-6 and that was the difference in the game.The Riders’ third periods have not been great, Golden scored two in both games and in Kimberley the Nitro’s scored three for the win. Correctable stuff BTW.
Point a game+ guys
Coden Fournier has been noticeable and leads the team with 2G 2A . Keegan Fellows came over from Creston last week where he was a forward but has played defence lately and has 1G 3A and Luke Rothfos who started in Kimberley last year but ended up in Sicamous has 4A.
Easy Decision
Ben Skarsen was the Riders Rookie of the Year, he went to Bonnyville this summer and made the AJHL Pontiacs. Skarsen is from Bonnyville so returning home was a no brainer for both team and player. Have a good season Ben.
First’s
The first suspension of the KIJHL season goes to Evan Tsadilas for his hit from behind on Lucas Desjarlais… Tsadilas was laughing about it with the Rocket scratches…some times these hits are partly accidental with guys turning etc this was not. And Dylan Puk got a face cut and is the first injury I’ve noticed that a face shield would have saved. Coach Scharff says players have the option of using full face protection but under 18 years it is mandatory.
RN: Although I really like the look of players in the half visors and how it makes players more accountable with their sticks and cheap shots… I think the jury is still out.
