Josh Lockhart
The Kimberley Dynamiters enter the weekend as one of the hottest teams in the KIJHL, going 9-1 in their past ten games, and outscoring opponents 29 to nine in their past four.
The Dynamiters host the Nelson Leafs on Friday before heading up the Columbia Valley to Invermere to play the Rockies.
It will be the first time this season that the Dynamiters see the Leafs (8-5-0-1). Nelson has won four of their last five. Their offence is led by Dale Howell — who has 10 goals and eight assists — and by Sawyer Hunt — who has five goals and 12 assists.
Hunt should be a familiar name to Nitros fans, as he was a part of the 2015 Dynamiters Championship team, and was a key member of the team when the Nitros returned to the KIJHL finals last year.
The last time the Dynamiters were on a winning streak and faced the Columbia Valley Rockies (3-8-0-2), it didn’t go over well for the Nitros. Rockies goaltender Connor McKay put on a clinic turning aside 48 of 50 shots, en-route to a 3-2 victory on Saturday, October 8. That was the last game the Rockies won before going winless in their last four games.
“Right now our focus is 100% on Nelson until Saturday morning,” said Dynamiters Head Coach and General Manager, Derek Stuart, saying he’s taking the weekend one game at a time.
Having outscored their last four opponents by at least four goals, the mantra from last season “not too high, not too low” may be of utmost importance this weekend.
The Dynamiters host the Leafs Friday at the Civic Centre with opening faceoff at 7pm. Then Saturday in Invermere puck drop is 7:30pm.
MATCH STICKS: Caige Sterzer and Drew Van den Bosch are serving a two-game suspension and are eligible to play October 29.
For up-to-date Kimberley Dynamiter information visit: www.kimberleydynamiters.net/blog. Also follow Josh on twitter @joshuaklockhart.