One of the biggest Pyramid Schemes I’ve ever seen
Only one game this week, so we’ll have to try and generate some interest…in other ways.
Hangover Ave, 90’s Tribute, Suspension, Chiefs, Volunteers, Elephants, Sea Shells, Beer Cans, Bonanza and Free Willy
The Ghostriders only played one game this week and that was against Kimberley but they lost 3-2 in overtime. The Riders were right in the game until the end and gave the 1027 fans a show. The Ghostrider Board Coaches and Players thank the fans for coming out… even the Kimberley fans!
The Riders are on the road in Spokane Friday and in Grand Forks Saturday. You can watch the games on FloHockey with a subscription or go to the Fernie Legion on Hangover Avenue by the tracks, they show the road games in their bar, the President is my old colleague from the Newspaper days, Jennifer, she will look after you.
In the first period Nitro Tristan Weill from Kelly and Stephenson scored on the power play then the Rider’s Coden Fournier from Martin and Haggerty scored and the period ended 1-1.
In the second Kimberley’s Nate Murdoch from Brlitz and LaForge scored to make is 2-1 but Fernie’s Riley Enns from Driebergen and Lambert tied the game up on the power play in the third to give the Riders a point and a chance for two in the standings.
The overtime saw Kimberley’s Jackson Murphy get in all alone a couple of minutes into the period and he scored the game winning goal.
Nick Kunyk stopped 32 of 35 shots and KD’s Josh Hager stopped 20 of 22 shots.
Kimberley outshot the Riders 35-22 and had a territorial advantage most of game. Nick Kunyk had to make a few heroic saves in the third to get the Riders to overtime and give them a point in the standings.
After the game, in a tribute to the 1990’s, Nick Kunyk punched Remy Spooner in the face with his blocker as the teams were starting to leave the ice. He will likely get suspended for up to three games. We will find out on Monday… What, they don’t work weekends, football games ? Cooper Anderson will be in net this weekend. The Riders will need to find an emergency back up, or E-Bug.
Round’ The League
The Kelowna Chiefs are fighting for their playoff lives with the Osoyoos Coyotes for the final spot and barely made the playoffs last year…but they shouldn’t be in that position, the Kelowna area should be a prime recruiting ground. So with that in mind they hired Mark Readman as their Director of Scouting. Readman played a big part in turning the Princeton franchise into a contender in his time there. Readman the full story here
It’s getting harder and harder to find volunteers
In Castlegar Mike Johnstone (President) and Kathleen Zubick (Fundraising Coordinator) announced recently this will be their final season with the Rebels. After more than 10 years with the organization, they both indicated it was time to move on to dedicate more time to family and focus on new ventures and personal interests. Johnstone also did the play by play for the Rebs…and was good at it.
The Elephant’s in the Room
It looks like teams are making changes as the KIJHL attempts to transition to Tier 1 Jr A, despite the fact nobody knows if any BCHL teams will follow Merritt’s lead and join the KIJHL and more importantly… what will happen to the BCHL now that the eligibility rules have changed and they are no longer the best “Pathway” to an NCAA Scholarship.
If you listen carefully you can almost hear BC Hockey and Hockey Canada laughing about the new eligibility rules. Kinda like how you can hear the sea when you hold a seashell to your ear or hear or the brewery when you hold a beer can to your, well never mind.
Free Willy, (The Refs)
Could the BCHL come back to HC and the referees regain their freedom to ref anywhere, and we get two refs at all our games.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…If you recognize these guys we will need to Carbon Date you to guess your age.
The Columbia Valley Rockies won 4-3 in Golden and lost 4-3 in Revelstoke in OT but got a point and 3 points this week, they have 48 now, one ahead of the Ghost with 47, but the Riders have 4 games in hand.
The Ghostriders hit the road this week, Friday they are in Spokane and on Saturday they play in Grand Forks against the first place Bruins, who with 181 goals, are the highest scoring team in the league.
The Ghostriders return home on Tuesday February 4th to play Creston who are one point ahead of Golden for the final playoff spot and then on Friday the 7th they play the always top contending and fun to watch Beaver Valley Nitehawks.
Go to our “Camps” page if you want to compete in our Spring Camp on April 4-6th.