The Kimberley Dynamiters found success on the road, beating the Thunder Cats in Creston on Friday, while dropping a decision to the Fernie Ghostriders at home the following evening.
Mitchell Loose had a two-goal performance to lift the Nitros 5-3 over the T-Cats, while goaltender Chris Solecki made a 24-save effort for Fernie as the Ghostriders won 3-1 at the Kimberley Civic Centre.
Fernie’s win also snapped a four-game win streak for the Dynamiters, as the Ghosties now sit atop the Eddie Mountain Division—one point ahead of the Nitros.
Kimberley struck first against the T-Cats, but Creston led 2-1 after the first period.
Loose got his first goal of the game on the power play three minutes in, but Andrew Hodder and Darcy Flaherty put Creston in the lead after the opening frame.
However, a three-goal performance by Kimberley on efforts from Sam Nigg, Brett Luker and Loose restored the Kimberley lead.
Riley Hellekson added to the Dynamiters’ lead in the third period, and Colby Livingstone got a puck by Nitro stopper Jeremy Mousseau.
Mousseau had a monster night, making 46 saves as Creston doubled the shot clock on the Nitros in the first period and, in the final frame, posted 19 shots in Kimberley’s zone, while the Nitros responded with three.
Creston netminder Michael Hails turned away 17 pucks for the Thunder Cats on the other end.
It was a penalty-riddled affair, as the T-Cats capitalized once in nine opportunities, while the Nitros made good twice on their two power play chances.
The Ghostriders poured some cold water on the Nitros’ hot streak on Saturday evening, as Brendan Burge scored twice to lift Fernie to a 3-1 win.
Kimberley’s only goal came from Jason Richter in the first period, as Kimberley grabbed the lead with eight minutes to go.
The two teams went scoreless in the second period, but Fernie pulled ahead in the third period with two goals from Burge and an empty-netter from Josh McKissock.
Mousseau was busy between the pipes, stopping 30 shots, while Solecki made 24 saves for Fernie.
Both teams had nine opportunities each on the power play, but neither capitalized on any chances.