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Posted 2010-09-02 by Webmaster. - Nitros kick off exhibition play with a bang
Big Divisional Weekend
MacKay not expecting shenanigans when Nitros and Riders get reacquainted
Courtesy of Matt Coxford - Bulletin / Townsman Sports
When the Fernie Ghostriders visit Kimberley tomorrow night, Dynamiters head coach Kevin MacKay isn’t expecting a repeat of the shenanigans that marked their meeting last Saturday.
The fireworks — which followed Fernie’s second 2-1 victory over Kimberley in as many nights — led to three Ghostriders being suspended, and a three-game ban thrown at their head coach.
“It’s a different building, it’s a different game,” MacKay said. “Every night is a different night at this level… I think it’s a matter that is done. We need to establish some goals, to score a little more on (Jason) Greenwell. We’ll concentrate on that and let the other stuff go by the wayside.”
Greenwell was one of the players suspended. Both he and Steven Casselman will sit out a game after picking up major penalties once time had expired; they were responding to a shot on goal at the end of regulation.
While that pair can take part on Saturday in Kimberley, coach Will Verner and leading scorer Jesse Niemi can’t.
MacKay said he was surprised to learn that Verner had been suspended for gross misconduct, although he’d seen their assistant coach giving the referee a post-game what-for.
As for Niemi, he was censured for squirting water at Kimberley players after the game. The two clubs exit the ice surface at the same end of the rink, and they’d been jawing at each other and taking their time clearing out when the moistening occurred.
“It’s pretty tight confinement there in Fernie. It’s always been a bit of an issue, and it gets worse, especially at playoffs,” said MacKay, noting a barrier is usually set up between the locker room entrances in the post-season.
While the Nitros escaped Saturday without league discipline, they weren’t unscathed.
Defenceman Ryan Georgopoulos had his jaw wired shut this week after Zach Fridella had broken it with a headshot.
Since he’ll be off both solid food and the ice for some time, the Nitros will be entering the weekend with a shortened bench.
Blueliner Jeremy Kelso will likely miss tonight’s game in Creston and tomorrow’s at home as he continues to mend from a shoulder injury.
The flu is also visiting the Nitros again, and it will sideline goalie Tory Caldwell and forward Chad Filatoff.
Although the H1N1 shots are being made available to the general public starting today, MacKay said the club isn’t requiring its players to get inoculated. Instead, they’ll be letting each player’s family decide.
Mike Smith will start both games this weekend, with backup duties going to a call-up.
Tonight’s game against the Creston Valley Thundercats marks the first meeting between the clubs since they split a home-and-home that started Sept. 18.
October’s KIJHL player of the month, Joe Densmore wasn’t in the lineup for Creston last time. With 35 points in 19 games, he’s four points shy of the total he amassed in 44 matches last season.
On the other hand, top forward Kane Dawe is out of Creston’s lineup three months with a lacerated spleen.
Nevertheless, MacKay said the Nitros will have to play close attention to the top line with Densmore and Travis Ludwar.
Creston is currently third in the Eddie Mountain Division (12-8-0-2, 26 pt.) while Kimberley is just two points back (10-9-1-3).
“It’s been some time. We’ve gotten better, and I’m sure they’ve gotten better and it will be interesting to see where we stand at this time as we’re fighting for that third spot right now.”
The Ghostriders are tops in the division at 17-3-1-1.
Next Dynamiter Home Game
Saturday, November 21st
vs
Kimberley Civic Centre
7:30 p.m.
It's "Toque & Mitt Toss Night”. The weather is turning cold so please bring any extra Toque and Mitts. These Mitts and Toque will be thrown on the ice when the Nitros score their first goal of the game.
Items will be donated to the Kimberley Helping Hands Food Bank. That night we’ll also have two Tykes teams from Kimberley Minor Hockey play between periods.
Brought to you by Melody Motors in South Kimberley.
General Admission Tickets go on sale at 6:30 p.m. Civic Centre Box OfficeAdults $9.00Students and Seniors $7.00Child (5-12 yrs old) $6.00Child not in school (with a parent) FREE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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