Tuesday 24 February 2015

Kimberley Dynamiters shut Creston out for second game in a row to take 2-1 series lead

With the series tied at 1, the Dynamiters traveled to Creston in hopes of taking back home ice advantage. 600 piled into Creston's arena wearing blue.

Game Notes
  • Tyson Brouwer and Brock Lefebvre went head to head (IMO its the best goalie duel in the playoffs)
  • Injuries/Scratches: Dagostin, Campanella, Pagura
1st
For those of us watching online, the first period was a frustrating experience. For a good couple of minutes while play was happening, we saw centre ice. And then during game play, the camera would drift upwards to the rafters - besides that, the webcast was passionate. The teams were going end to end, exchanging chances, and both goalies matched the intensity. Penalties have been the demise of Creston in the series (they play excellent 5-on-5), it has been their chink in their armor, and Kimberley found it again. Richter dashed into the zone, fed the puck to Saretsky who fired it in from the slot. The Dynamiters survived a short burst to end the period as the Cats tried to even the game. The Dynamiters led 1-0, and 12-8 in shots.

2nd
This period was uneventful until the last five minutes. Nothing against the previous 15 it was, as the series has been, hard fought. However, in a scramble play in front of Lefebvre, the Dynamiters squeezed the puck through. The play, though, was whistled dead just moments before the puck crossing the line, so the goal was waved off. On the ensuing shifts, tempers rose and four minors and one major were handed out with 36 seconds left in the game. Creston led in shots this period 10-7.

3rd
Desperation hockey began. Creston was taking the hits, and creating chances with their speed. But they couldn't solve Brouwer. Well, they did, and that goal was waved off because a high-stick made contact. Which I could sympathize with the pain. For a moment Creston, and the 600 fans in the arena, thought the game was tied... and then it wasn't. The Creston fans, and I am sure the bench too, was not thrilled with the decision. The Dynamiters had their share of chances as well, but couldn't beat Lefebvre. With 1:03 left in the game, the Cats pulled their goalie, and got an excellent chance when the Dynamiters iced the puck with just over 8 seconds left. The Dynamiters cleared the zone, and held onto their 1-0 lead for the victory. The shots were 6-4 for the Nitro's this period.

The Dynamiters have now played 120 minutes of hockey without letting in a goal, and now have a 2-1 series lead. The teams face off Tuesday night. The game is huge for both teams. Kimberley wins, they have a 3-1 lead heading home. Creston wins, it's 2-2, and becomes a best of three series.

Dynamite Player of the Game
Tyson Brouwer - 22 save performance. More rubber would have come his way had the defenders not been in the way.

Honorable Mentions
Brady Revie - There was a moment when he was heading off for a change, but was stopped by a Creston player who hit him. Revie absorbed the hit and stood his ground until he could get off for a change.
Jason Richter - created several chances, and assisted on the lone goal of the game.
Braden Saretsky - capitalized in the slot for the eventual GWG.
Coy Prevost - his shot block with 8 seconds left and eventual into neutral zone chip got the puck out of the zone with play winding down
THE WHOLE DEFENSIVE SQUAD - shot block after shot block.

Further Reading
Boxscore
Taylor Rocca write up

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