The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) is pleased to announce its Power Rankings for Week 17.
The Revelstoke Grizzlies won both their games last week starting with a 5-0 shutout against the Osoyoos Coyotes on Jan. 16. Brock Hudson opened the scoring with his second goal of the season a minute into the game, while Brennen Coutts set up two goals, including Noah Frick’s first KIJHL goal. Austin Seibel picked up his third shutout of the season with a 28-save performance. On Jan. 17, the Grizzlies defeated the Nelson Leafs 7-3. Faris Meddeb scored the winning goal and had two assists, while Jake Neufeld and Jett Patola also had three points. Patola scored his 15th goal, which ties his season high from last season. William Stewart stopped 20 of 23 shots. The Grizzlies are second overall in the KIJHL with a record of 24-5-0-2.
The Williams Lake Mustangs won both their games over the week, starting with the School Day game they hosted against the Quesnel River Rush. They won 4-3 as Blake Collison netted the winner in front of their largest crowd of the season – 1,178. The Mustangs netted three straight second period goals with Jaxson Dikur making 43 saves. Declan Pocock and JP Desabrais each pocketed two assists. On Jan. 17, the Mustangs defeated the Chase Heat 4-2. The Mustangs were flying in the first period coming out with a 3-0 lead. Logan Hauk’s 19th goal proved to be the winner. Alberto Kellgren led them with two points and set up Kaelen Swanson’s insurance marker. Alex Jessey stopped 29 shots for his eighth win, which matches his win total last season in 22 games. The Mustangs are eighth overall at 18-10-1-2.
The Beaver Valley Nitehawks won both their weekend games, starting with a 7-3 victory over the Grand Forks Border Bruins. The Nitehawks exploded for four second-period goals with Brady Walker (15) burying the winner and Landan Uzeloc making 27 saves. Ty Noseworthy scored twice (13) for the Nitehawks. On Jan. 17, the Nitehawks doubled up the Castlegar Rebels 4-2. Karsten Hugenholtz earned his second win against the Rebels with a 26-save effort as Brady Magarrell netted the winning goal with his 28th of the season. It’s his 50th career KIJHL goal in 69 regular season games. Magarrell is seven points shy of reaching the 100-point milestone. The Nitehawks are third overall in the KIJHL at 25-7-0.
The Grand Forks Border Bruins split their games on the weekend. They began with a 7-3 loss to the Nitehawks on Jan. 16. Levi Astill had two points and scored his 21st goal. Thomas Samborski made 37 saves. On Jan. 17 they rebounded with a 6-3 win over the Creston Valley Thunder Cats. Astill had a goal and two points – his assist setting up the winner by Devon Boyle (11). His goal was the first of four straight by the Border Bruins to secure the win. Eric Kahl made 28 saves and Austin Tellefson had two assists. The Border Bruins are seventh overall in the league at 21-12-0-1.
The Quesnel River Rush split their games last week. They started the week losing to the Mustangs 4-3 in their School Day game. Kyan Gray made 31 saves and Gavyn Schaufele had two points. The River Rush then defeated the 100 Mile House Wranglers 4-3 in overtime. Trailing 3-1, the River Rush scored three unanswered goals – including the overtime winner by Gage Parrell (9), set up by Diego Cazac, who collected four assists against his former team. Cazac has six points in two games against the Wranglers. Gray made 25 saves for the win and the River Rush are now 11th overall in the KIJHL at 17-13-3-1.
