Riders OT Bars Fastest Bury them Captains and the usual drivel

The Riders lost 2-1 in double OT to Kimberley last week then won 4-3 in Invermere and 9-3 against Princeton who were fresh off a  5-4 OT win in Kimberley the night before... go figure. A squared plus B squared doesn’t always = well enough algebra 

It seemed like the Riders were taking the smallish but pretty mobile Princeton Posse lightly for a while but they figured it out  and routed em in the end.

I don’t particularly like or dislike any of the visiting teams but when you come to town with no name bars on your jerseys it’s easy to get a hate on at the offending organizations, not the players. And due to preexisting rivalries Kimberley didn’t need any help.

The Nitro’s have pretty much the same attendance as Fernie  so they could easily fork out a few dollars for name bars. Princeton maybe not so much, but this is a pay to play league so I’m bettin the players would like to see some of the cash go to having their names on their jerseys... you think.

In other leagues names are mandated… can you hear me KI Governors who are trying lots harder this year to present themselves as a premier Jr B league. I’m reluctant to say this   but I will... names = class guys and don’t cost much either. Little things.

Speaking of which, Kimbo coach Derek Stuart who doesn’t usually complement other teams had this to say about the Riders 2019-20 version "This is the fastest Fernie team he has seen in his four years coaching in the KIJHL.They are smaller than normal, but very quick,” 

 Well that’s cool or is he this underwater    Stuart also brought in Jett Saharchuk from North Oak, he was a point a game player with  26 goals last year and on Friday he scored in his first game so they aren’t gettin any weaker.  Cool first name too.

A very mobile Seamus Keith has 6 points and is tied with Jordon Kromm (now an AC) , and Johnny Elias in scoring... Keith coulda had a few more goals Saturday and will be a killer when he starts to bury those  chances.

New Captain Dylan Defosse is right behind in scoring with 5 points and new AC’s Greg Susinski, Johnny Elias and Gavin Lawrie all scored against Princeton.

This year we don’t know how the new C was picked, in 26 years reporting on the FGR I’ve seen it all...some coaches do it themselves, some let the players vote and some let the players vote a few times till they get who they want.

Former Philadelphia Flyer Bill Clement, who won the Stanley Cup with the Flyers and played with one of the greatest Captains ever in Bobby Clarke said this about voting for captains.  Players should decide nothing more important than “window or aisle.”

Bobby Clarke

And finally, the league has done a much better job of posting trades so far this season and they have separated the transactions from discipline.  When the discipline (suspensions) were listed on the transaction’s page they stayed up all season, hopefully when we change months the suspensions don’t disappear like they did a few years ago on the discipline page. With cumulative penalties it’s nice to know why someone got extra games. Overall good improvements KI, now lets get on them name bars.

Saturday Sept 28 in the Div

Princeton 3 @ Fernie 9

In Fernie nine different Ghostriders scored and Chance Griffith had the win in net. 

New team C Dylan Defosse had a goal and 3 assists, Aiden Gleisner 3 pts  and Brennan Wingenbach, Dylan Nevil and Andrew Bonham each scored their first KIJHL goals.

Newly minted assistant C’s Gavin Lawrie, Jordon Kromm and Greg Susinski each chipped in with goals as well.

Both teams scored a PPG and 620 fans attended. 
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Castlegar 0 @ Columbia Valley 6 

In Invermere Casey James Thomson got the shutout and Colby Phillips and Khale Skinner each scored two goals. 

The shots were 49 -22 CVR and the Rockies scored 2 PPG
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Creston 7 @ 100 Mile 3

In 100 Mile seven different T Cats scored and Carson Small had a 4 point night. Riley O’Laney had the win in net. 
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Golden 2 @ Sicamous 3 

In Sicamous Jakob McLean’s second period goal turned out to be the game winner and  Koltin Dodge had the win in net by stopping 42 shots.
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Kelowna won again tonight 7-6 in Osoyoos and are the only team without a loss, Kimberley has 1 OT loss and that was against  Princeton on Friday.
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With Fernie Creston and the Rockies winning Saturday the standings tighten up a  bit.

Friday night in the Division

Fernie 4 @ Columbia Valley 3

In Invermere Johnny Elias (3) scored the game winning goal half way through the third period.

Seamus Keith (3) , Jordan Kromm (3) and Kole Fujita (1) also scored goals and Chance Griffith got his first KIJHL win in net. 

Gavin Fleck scored 2 for the Rockies and the shots ended 39-33 CVR
CVR was 1-2 Fernie 0-2 on the PP

Princeton 5 @ Kimberley 4 OT

In Kimberley Beavis Chou (1G1A) scored the OT game winner and the Posse’s Terrance Josephson had 1G and 1A 
Jaysen MacLean stopped 35 for the big road win.

Kimberley’s Brock Palmer had 1G 2A and both goalies played.

PP’s  - PP 1-4 KD 2-5

Creston 1 @ Kamloops 7

In Kamloops Harrison Ewart had 3G 1A and Brett Metro had 2G and the Storm get their first win on the season. 

Castlegar 0 @ Golden 5

In Golden Ryan Baker got the shutout but the game sheet was not finished when this was written. Parker Laughton had 2 G and Dominic Turner had a G and an A

Some other games of interest, Revelstoke lost 4-3 in Spokane

After Friday night all Eddie Mountain teams have had a loss. Is it really wide open...

Some random, probably inaccurate, and most certainly unprofessional, thoughts...

Creston is currently in first place tied with Kimberley and both teams are 4-0. Fernie and the Rockies both have 1-2 records.



Judging by what I saw Saturday I don’t see Creston staying in first... but it sure looks like they have taken a nice step up from missing the playoffs last year. 

A pretty good job by HC and GM Nick Redding, especially on the Tyler Witzke trade. It gave Creston basically four players for this year and Witzke (and Fernie) a chance to win a round  in the playoffs, something the locals needed to see.

Creston won 5-3 in Invermere Friday night and had no penalties. That never f’n happens... was HC Redding happy or sad, a case could me made for either.

For most of the Creston game the Riders had a large territorial and shot advantage (52-29) but CVT scored on two of their three PP chances, and scored a couple of weak goals. So Rider fans shouldn’t panic, some of the new recruits look like they can play.

Something I hate, because most teams need every edge they can get... when a player is going for a line change and is 30 or so feet away from the bench and is slowly skating back he makes his team shorthanded for a few seconds, you gotta at least sip the cool-aid...no matter how good you are, and he’s good.

Because of the schedule the Revelstoke Grizzlies who won everything last year played their first game Saturday, they beat the once mighty Osoyoos Coyotes 11-1. I fought the Law and the Law Won, an old song.... never mind

Creston is good and Golden has a 3-1 record so far, is this finally the year 4 of 5 Eddie Mt teams don’t get the we have made the playoffs  Christmas present...  

Princeton still doesn’t have ice but they may have it next week, better than a whole season on the road.

Amusing to see Derek Green chirping his former fans, I think he won the exchange

Back in 1997 former Ghostrider Andrew Guest took the referee course and did several games when he was here in Fernie. After his playing days were over he went on to the BCHL and had a pretty good career as a ref... any players getting any ideas

Saturday Sept 21st in the Eddie Mountain Div

Creston 5 @ Fernie 3

In Fernie despite being outshot 52-29 the Creston T Cats won 5-3 on the road in Fernie in front of 930 screaming Rider fans.

Corbin Cockerill scored what would turn out to be the game winner in the second period. Carson Small chipped in with a pair of goals Derek Green a goal and an assist and Josh Dalquist 3 assists. 

Sylvin Menard from Plamondon Alberta got the win in net in his first KI game..

The Riders Jordan Kromm scored two goals and Johnny Elias had a goal and an assist. Rider goalie Ethan Fitzgerald was injured in the third period after a collision on the Cats 5th goal.

The power play factored into this game, Creston was 2-3 and Fernie 2-7.

Columbia Valley 2 @ Kimberley 4

In Kimberley Beau Larson’s second goal (PP) and 3rd point of the night in the second period was the game winner. Brock Palmer's second goal was into the EN, it was his his 7th G in 4 games.
The shots were 39 26 KD and Adam Andersen got the W in net. 

Golden 5 @ Chase 1

In Chase Jonah Chambers stopped 40 of 41 and five different Rockets scored including Jr A returnees  Dominic Turner who had a G and an A and Brice Trimmer with 2A
The shots were 41-28 Chase

Game of note... the Cyclone winning Revelstoke Grizzlies won their home opener 11-1 over Osoyoos. Shots 63 15 check it here 

Both Creston and Kimberley are 4-0

Friday night in the Eddie Mountain Division

Fernie 2 @ Golden 5

In Golden Jacob Dewar’s first period goal turned out to be the game winner and  Jayden Hendricks (2) Dylan Ford (1G2A) and Sean Allen scored the other Rocket goals.  Brandon Weare had the win in net and  Louis Ferraro had 3A.

Fernie had goals from Andrew Bonham and Owen Titus.

Shots were 32-30 Golden
FGR 1-9 GR 1-8 on the PP.

Nelson 3 @ Kimberley 4 OT

In Kimberley Tyler Cheetham (Palmer Bennett) scored in overtime and Brad Nyen had the W in net. 
Kimberley was ahead 3-1but the Leafs scored 2 in the third from Lane Goodwin and Bryden Pow to get  a point and a chance for two.

NL went 2-12 and the KD 1-11 on the PP

Creston 5 @ Columbia Valley 3

The Rockies led 2-1 in the first period but Creston battled back with three goals in the second and one in the third for the big road win.  Josh Dalquist (2A) Logan Berggren (2G1A) Corbin Cockerill  (1G 1A)  and Riley O’Laney had the win in net. 
According to the online game sheet Saturday AM  Creston had 0 PIM and went 0-5 on the PP

One game of note
Beaver Valley won 8-1 vs 100 Mile they are hosting the Cyclone this year. Brad Ross and Angus Amadio each had 4 point nights.

Creston and Kimberley lead with 3-0 records.

Referee clinics

A few odds and ends and the usual drivel

Former KIJHL President Bill Ohlhausen now has his name etched into KIJHL history. The Okanagan Division is now the Bill Ohlhausen Division.  Bill was basically a volunteer who took a lot of shit and got paid nothing more than a stipend for  years. Credit to new Commissioner Larry Martel for spearheading the division naming idea. My initiative…how about the league gives him a $5000 golden handshake…all you governors can send your notes of thanks for that idea to my DM’s… hahaha

Now I have to relearn how to spell Bill's last name, I hope Bill Rotheisler stays in the AJHL... 

Looks like Niki Sombrowski may have found a home in Estevan SJHL , I’m pulling for him.

Kyle Ford is still in La Ronge of the Jr A  SJHL and has a couple of points in the first couple of games, Kimbo’s Spencer Kennedy, Golden’s Bryce Trimmer and goalie Ryan Baker are also still hanging around… if Kennedy gets cut can we trade for him… 

According to the radio broadcast the Riders are going with no captain for a few weeks… or maybe they want to announce it just before the home opener for the drama. 

I would vote for Greg Susinski, but I only see the way he plays on the ice . Heard he took a cheap shot early in Nelson so was not involved in all the mayhem…I bet he was pissed, and I bet he misses the two 200 pound D that aren’t around any more…

Not often you see 200+ pound defensemen get traded but  Riders traded Derek Green to Creston so they could get Gavin Lawrie back from Creston… he was part of the Tyler Witzke deal from last season, him Dalquist (another 200 pounder) and an injured Ethan Jang were to play in Creston this season. Another piece, Kory Zinck, went to Creston last year and is there again this season. Well at least you know the GM is willing to swing for the fences.

Both D men Green and Dalquist were fairly large bodies, I like the big guys after January and especially into the playoffs. But the Riders survived a gong show in Nelson on opening night so maybe some of the new recruits have some size… we can only guess, they don’t show their heights and weights on the website…cause you know…the fans don’t care.

A very strong and fast Ethan Jang wanted to go home to Beaver Valley where his brother played… if he can stay healthy he will be a huge asset for the Hawks, and he’s only 18. Jang played parts of two seasons in Fernie but only played 13 games last year because of injuries.

The Princeton Posse played in Sicamous Friday night and the game was delayed by about an hour according to Twitter because the referees were late, then they played OT and lost, what a pissoff. 

It’s really early but so far Kimberley’s Brock Palmer has scored 5 goals in his first two games and leads the KIJHL with 6 points tied with Creston’s Carson Small. 

Creston 2-0 are here next week then Kimberley will be here on the Tuesday after that... If I were king I’da given  former Rider President and KI VP Phil Iddon $500 to do the schedule...they would be thousand’s ahead by the end of the year.

Last week In Comox  they had to evacuate the arena because of an ammonia leak...isn’t it time to make changing out those style of chillers  mandatory

And finally….As we approach the coming time change (Nov 3rd) everyone starts scratching their fingernails on the chalk board screaming about  how much they hate changing the clocks. And twice a year the gutless politicians blubber away and say they’re going to do something about it… but nothing ever happens and we change anyway… then everyone forgets for six months… we’ll talk again in March. 

The Riders win their first game in OT in Nelson.

*Ghostrider twitter says Gavin Lawrie scored the first goal *

Well the Ghostriders got off to a great  Friday the 13th start in Nelson with a big 3-2  double overtime win. It was rookie defensemen Dan Lindeman ( Keith- Lawrie) who scored  the game winner  on the power play, his first ever KI goal.

The Riders took the lead in the first when Jordan Kromm  (Backhouse Hladiuk) scored on the power play but Nelson’s Reid Wilson scored and the period ended 1-1.

 Johnny Elias (Lawrie Hladiuk) scored the Riders second goal on the PP in the third but Nelson’s Lane Goodwin tied it up with 1:14 left and the goalie pulled. 

Ethan Fitzgerald got the win in net making 36 saves for his first ever KiJHL win. Nelson’s Kurt Doyle 4saves was pulled in the first and Carlos Siso 24 saves finished the game.
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The second was a war with several misconducts and fights. The game sheets on the KI site are notorious for being inaccurate but if you want to read it check out the second period it’s HERE

Derek Unterberger, Carson Cecconi and Kyle Klein all were ejected for fighting and several players picked up game misconducts. 

Overall, whenever a team gets in a gong show early in the season it’s a team builder. All the penalties and fights are always guys sticking up for each other and that, more than anything, brings a team together, plus it was a road win. My dinosaur is parked outside the bar...

The Riders scored 3 power play goals and didn’t allow any. You can win with great special teams.

The rookies came through with goals and points including the D  who didn’t get a lot of points last season.

In an interview after the game Leaf Coach Mario DiBella said “I thought the gamesmanship [the coach] showed in that game was something I just put up into the reserve bank to use at some other time,” said DiBella.

In other words the coaches were going at it on the benches. 

No word on suspensions but there may be a couple, you can never tell for sure with the online game sheets.

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In other news 

Kimberley won 4-3 at home against Beaver Valley when Brock Palmer scored his third of the night in overtime.

Golden defeated Kamloops 3-1 in Kamloops

Creston won 7-1 in Spokane, Carson Small had a pair of goals and Derek Green had a goal and an assist.

The Rockies won 3-2 at home vs Osoyoos.

Rookie tour, returns and maybe returns, outlawTroy, chilling financials, rescue me and the disclaimer

The Ghostrider mostly rookies tour lost 4-3 in Creston Saturday night. As usual the word rookies should set off a big red flag for Rider fans. Exhibition hockey is a chance for the coaches to decide who stays and who goes… and if they go it’s hopefully to another team, the coaches usually try to get them somewhere else.

Friday and Saturday’s lineups didn’t include prime AAA prospects Seamus Keith (F) and D-man Aaron Hladiuk. So you could speculate, and we will, that they have made it.

The lineups did include 20’s Jordan Kromm (Riders top scorer last season) Gregg Susinski (without a doubt the Riders best defenceman last year) A/C Dylan Defosse (12G 31 pts) and Derek Green (another big body who is willing to make em pay). 

It sounds like almost point a game Tyler Witzke, the Riders prime acquisition from Creston last year, is going to school and won’t be back, he is  20. Goalie Riley Fonger is another school casualty who won’t be back. No word on what is exactly going on with Simon Bergsagel and Gavin Lawrie. Traded?

Also we still don’t know about tryouts  Niki Sombrowski (Estevan) and  Kyle Ford and Sawan Gill (La Ronge) of the SJHL.  Their camps were this weekend, we should hear something soon. 

Kyle Klein, Owen Titus and Johnny Elias are also in camp. Klein was the youngest player in the league last season and at 17 this year could be a great asset for the Riders.  

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Round the League

Kimberley just had their main camp this weekend and have 13 returning players including Brock Palmer and Cam Russell, two premier KIJHLrs… so expect them to be trouble as usual.

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Former Revelstoke GM and Cyclone winner Troy Mick who has had stints in the WHL and the BCHL has gone to the outlaw Cold Lake Wings. I don’t get it, he shouldn’t have been hurting for work and was even rumoured to be a candidate for the KIHJL Commissioner position of which he obviously didn’t get.
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The Ghostriders will play Princeton in Grand Forks next Friday. They are in the Forks because the Princeton arena is getting a new chiller just like Fernie did last year. The Posse think having no ice will cost them an extra $12000... they are preaching to the choir here,  Fernie lost around $70000 and three lives two years ago. Princeton didn’t have a leak or anything, but are replacing it for obvious safety reasons. Read it here.

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And finally, and not a moment to soon... The pre season is killing the Riders financially... with trips to Golden and GF without at least them playing here in Fernie to offset the costs is murder. But the no games in Fernie reason is a good one, the semi annual Mine Rescue Competition is being held at the rink. Without the mines Fernie would starve. Yes I’m in favour of mining.

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As usual non-professional and inaccurate... ya that’s me