The Ghostriders had their best weekend of the young season, they won 5-3 against Nelson and 5-1 on the road in Grand Forks.
New goaltender Leo denBesten who was acquired from the AJHL’s Devon Extreme was in net for both games and was pretty good against Nelson but he killed it in Grand Forks where the Riders were outshot 41- 25.
After the Grand Forks game Head Coach Chad Scharff had this to say.
Scharff “I think we can use this weekend to really launch us through the rest of the season. Today’s game had a lot of extra emotions involved, we were down bodies and our guys showed a lot of grit.”
Rider News Speaking of extra emotions, and we just were, last year Grand Forks Coach Dave Hnatiuk who also Coached the prestigious Prospects Game, called the Fernie Coaches rookies…despite losing both games to them. Anyway, I think Scharff remembered the slight.
Scharff “It always feels good going into a building coached by a guy who called us “Rookie Coaches”and gritting out a win. I’m really proud of our team for the effort we put out this weekend finally playing like the group we know we can be. Now the challenge is using it to launch ourselves forward for the rest of the year.”
Rider News- Clearly the Bruins were pissed that they lost and took several liberties in the last few minutes of the game… those veteran Coaches know all the tricks. On the final face-off the Riders just took the puck back in their own end and killed the clock, vs taking more PIM.
Before the Nelson game there was a moment of silence.
Two important things happened in that game, first Coden Fournier (PP) scored his first goal. Fournier (that’s him at the top of the page) has had several grade A chances so far and finally finished one, he also had two assists on the weekend. Plus, new goalie Leo denBeston made the saves he had to for the win… a recurring theme here.
Liam Breakenridge (PP) had a goal and 3 assists, Kellen Hale scored, speedster Ethan Watkins (PP) scored his 1st and Ben Skarsen (PP) scored the game winner.
For those who were counting the Riders went 4-5 on the power play and Nelson 2-5. The shots 51-34 Fernie.
Haden Evans had a 3 goal and 1 assist game (2 PPG’s) Danil Timchuk’s goal was the game winner, Ben Skarsen had a goal and an assist, also, as mentioned, Leo denBeston was great in net and even stopped Levi Astill (KIJHL Top Scorer last year) on a penalty shot.
Lots of cheap shots in this game that saw slick skating Koa Percival and Forks Brenan Kearney get kicked out with major penalties.
Despite being out shot 41-25 the Riders were actually pretty good defensively and kept the hi danger chances lower than you would think.
With the win and scoring 6 PPG on 11 chances the Riders PP is at 27.5%, Creston is first with a 38.5 % and Revelstoke who is here in Fernie next Saturday has a 26.4% and a league leading 88.8% PK.
Round’ the League
Kimberley won 3-2 in a S/O in 100 Mile and lost 4-2 in Kamloops their 3rd game on their big road trip is in Chase this afternoon.
The Rockies lost 7-4 to Princeton and 4-2 to Nelson thus allowing the Riders to get into 4th place.
Golden lost 7-4 in Creston and 3-0 at home to Princeton. Fernie is in Golden this Friday.
Revelstoke won 4-3 in Merritt and 7-2 at home vs the BV Hawks. The Grizz are here in Fernie on Saturday
I think the Fernie Legion shows the games in their bar !
