KIJHL Notebook: Kootenay Conference – Border Bruins enjoy strong first half

We’re on part 2 of the biggest win/individual performance or moment to end 2024 in the KIJHL Notebook, this week for Kootenay Conference teams.

Eddie Mountain Division

The Christmas Classic against the Fernie Ghostriders was a highlight for the Kimberley Dynamiters, said head coach-general manager Derek Stuart.

“Just the environment and intensity surrounded by that, as well as getting two convincing wins,” he said. “Also, probably the goalie goal by Josh Hager in November was a pretty cool moment for our players and fans to see.”

 

 

Balanced offensive production is what’s making Columbia Valley Rockies head coach-general manager Tayler Sincennes the happiest.

“We are close to the league lead in goals for as a team and we only have one guy in the top-20 in scoring – Carter Velker (33 points in 31 games),” said Sincennes. “We have two guys that are at a point-a-game and then our numbers don’t drop off significantly.”

They have six players averaging .80 points-per-game or higher and Sincennes said from their first line to the fourth and the blueline, the stats are respectable.

“Everybody chips in,” he said. “Any night that we’ve had big wins it’s nice to see that our production isn’t just coming from one or two guys, it’s coming from the entire group.”

 

Fernie Ghostriders head coach-general manager Chad Scharff said that captain Taylor Haggerty and defenceman Eric Martin had good starts. Haggerty leads the Ghostriders with 41 points in 28 games, while Martin leads the blueline with 35 points in 28 games. Those are also league leading numbers. Both are performing as expected. Martin plays an average of 26:14 a game and is a plus 16. Haggerty averages 20:05 of ice time a game and is a plus seven.

 

Scharff also noted that in November and December they had a stretch of 12 games in which they didn’t lose in regulation time.

“That’s a big win for our team,” he said. “Then we had a little hiccup here right now, but we’re looking forward to getting past Jan. 10th then going forward with the group we have.”

 

Victories over the Revelstoke Grizzlies on the road and Grand Forks Border Bruins were big moments for the Creston Valley Thunder Cats. They had their best team performance against the Border Bruins.

“I think both of those games we had really good team structure and I would say especially against Grand Forks, we knew it was going to be a tough game,” said Thunder Cats head coach-general manager Geordie Wudrick. “That building being a bit of a smaller ice surface, we know how hard they play, but I thought overall, that was probably our best team wins so far.”

Wudrick said it proved to them they can compete with and even beat some of the best teams in the league.

 

Golden Rockets head coach-general manager Jed Houseman has seen his team compete with and knock off some of the best teams in the league. They’ve competed with the Dynamiters and defeated Beaver Valley Nitehawks and the Fernie Ghostriders.

“We beat Beaver Valley in overtime, which was a great moment for us,” said Houseman. “We’re playing with the top-end of the league and definitely competing is big for us.”

Brayden Bissell leads the team with 23 points and Houseman said he’s very skilled.

“We have other rookies that are showing great leadership qualities,” he said.

 

Neil Murdoch Division

Grand Forks Border Bruins head coach-general manager Dave Hnatiuk feels they had a pretty solid first half. 

“The games we dropped were lessons for us to learn and areas that we need to make sure we can be prepared for in the future,” he said. 

Hnatiuk added every player finds their groove at different times, and different units click at different times. 

“Players go on heaters at different times. Look at Brandon Gray, Tyler Burke and Levi Astill right now. They’re super hot. It’s overall a year’s worth of work.” 

 

Terry Jones felt his Beaver Valley Nitehawks came out flying for their New Year’s Eve game with the Nelson Leafs.

“They were engaged, disciplined and I just felt like we hadn’t moved the puck like that in quite awhile, so it’s a really nice way to close out 2024,” said the Nitehawks head coach-general manager. “I look forward to bigger and brighter things in 2025.”

Jones said they got a boost from the first intermission marriage ceremony between Richard Stinn and Sheila Lewis.

“After the first period we were OK, but after the wedding we were flying and it was moving the puck really well. 

“We felt like maybe we need to get more weddings in the Beaver Valley Arena,” Jones joked. “Yeah, it was great.”

 

Earning a 4-2 win over the Castlegar Rebels in December was big for the Nelson Leafs and was the first victory for new head coach Gianni Mangone. 

“I think the boys really rallied around each other to make sure that we were able to get at least one in this time of a slump,” said Mangone. “I’m proud of them for that, thankful for them to get my first win, but this is all about them.”

 

Picking up a victory against the Princeton Posse on home ice is one of the biggest wins for the Castlegar Rebels. Head coach Nick Headrick said it was their most complete game.

“Our biggest moment was right before Christmas break and Josh Hogman scoring that overtime winner against the Beaver Valley Nitehawks before we went to the break was a big win for us,” said Headrick. “We’re kind of trying to chase down Nelson and then playing Beaver Valley was a pretty good opponent.”

 

The biggest moment for the Spokane Braves was a come from behind win over the Beaver Valley Nitehawks 5-4 on Dec.1. They trailed 3-0 14 minutes into the first period.

“The group came together and overcame adversity to kick start a 7-3 run in the next 10 games,” said Braves assistant coach Jason Greenwell. “Our team has learned how to win and play for each other. We are very proud of how far they have come this season and look forward to a great second half.”