The Princeton Posse lead the KIJHL with scoring the first goal in a game, having done it 30 times in 43 games. Next are the Revelstoke Grizzlies with 28 first goals in 42 games. The Merritt Centennials and Grand Forks Border Bruins are next with 26. The Fernie Ghostriders have 25.
Here are the top-five win percentages:
Grizzlies – 24-1-0-3 – .911
Kimberley Dynamiters – 19-1-3 – .891
Border Bruins – 22-2-2 – .885
Posse – 26-3-0-1 – .883
Beaver Valley Nitehawks – 19-3-1 – .848
Now let’s get into the final KIJHL Notebook of the regular season.
Eddie Mountain Division
The Kimberley Dynamiters are focused on their game and polishing up pre-game preparation. It’s about preparing to play their game and not where the opponent sits in the standings. Head coach-general manager Derek Stuart has really liked their ability to get the job done at home.
“We have lost two home games all season with the last one coming in early November,” he said, as they are 18-2-1 in 21 games. “Having the second best home record in the league should be an advantage heading into playoffs.”
The only team with a better home record are the Posse, who are 20-1-1.
Stuart has been impressed with the play of Trey Stephenson and Nate Tillmanns. Since Christmas Stephenson leads KIJHL defencemen in points-per-game at 1.76 and has 23 in 13 games. Tillmanns “has also been really good since acquiring him at the deadline.”
In eight games, Tillmanns has four goals and five assists while averaging 16:32 of playing time and is a plus two.
Fernie Ghostriders head coach-GM Chad Scharff wants his team to maintain its details and habits this weekend.
“Priority No. 1 is to stay healthy. Priority No. 2 is to make sure we’re continuing to do the right things heading into the first game of playoffs,” he said.
On Tuesday, the Ghostriders defeated a hungry Golden Rockets 5-4. The Rockets were trying to clinch the last playoff spot.
“We had to be at our best and I was really proud of the guys in that game because you’re up 2-0, then down 4-2 and find a way to fight yourself back into it,” he said. “We showed a lot of character in our group. Over the course of the last three, there’s been good and bad, but I think there’s been more upside than stuff we need to focus on and fix.”
Tayler Sincennes has the Columbia Valley Rockies focused on a key area heading into the opening round of the playoffs.
“We have to be disciplined in the way we play our game, the finer details as well as keeping ourselves out of penalty trouble,” said the Rockies head coach-general manager. “Right now I’m happy to see our focus and attention to details being ramped up. We are also seeing more guys step into leadership roles and really find themselves within the group.”
Those players are Ethan Cerone, Noah Asmundson and Carter Velker, who don’t wear letters. Sincennes said they set the model with their play and work ethic.
Creston Valley Thunder Cats head coach-general manager Geordie Wudrick has really liked the way the players have been skating and managing the puck the past few weeks.
“We are playing a more high paced and simple game and getting rewarded through hard work and compete,” he said. “The guys seem to have really good chemistry on-and-off the ice right now.”
Wudrick added they have bought into “our systems and structure and hold each other accountable to the game plan.”
“It’s a good group of guys and they are coming together at the right time.”
This weekend, Wudrick wants to refine some of their systems and structures while keeping their game pace really high. They want to finish off the regular season the right way.
Golden Rockets head coach-general manager Jed Houseman felt his team had a “really solid effort” in their 5-4 loss to Fernie.
“It was definitely a special teams battle. We tallied twice on the power-play, then back-to-back short-handed goals to make it 4-2 half way through the game,” said Houseman. “We were in a good spot. Our guys showed great compete. It was obviously a tough result with them scoring three unanswered, and we couldn’t solve Cooper Anderson after the goalie change.”
Houseman’s message to the group before their final game Saturday is “to have fun with it, and compete hard.”
“We would like to win our last game and to prove that we can push the top team in the division,” he said.
There is also incentive to finish strong for Dominic Fiorentino, their lone 20-year-old player.
Neil Murdoch Division
It’s a third straight winning season for the Grand Forks Border Bruins under head coach-general manager Dave Hnatiuk. In his fourth season with the organization, Hnatiuk has led them to 33 wins heading into the weekend. That’s the second highest mark in franchise history, behind the 37 won in 1992-93.
Hnatiuk said their win total is a “testament to what we’re doing.”
“It comes down to the players, the leadership, their level of commitment and desire to win and perform,” he said. “The owner, Dr. Mark Szynkaruk and wife Tracey, are fantastic to work for and with.”
Hnatiuk said there are a lot of great people in the organization.
With a win in their final game against the Beaver Valley Nitehawks, the Border Bruins can have a 23-1 record against divisional opponents.
“We have an opportunity to have a really impressive record inside our division,” said Hnatiuk, adding that it’s pretty remarkable. “And we could get rewarded with the President’s Cup.”
The goal though is winning the KIJHL Teck Cup.
Another new franchise mark has been set this season. Russell Kosec is the Border Bruins’ all-time leader in points by a defencemen with 84 in 109 games.
Beaver Valley Nitehawks head coach-general manager Terry Jones is looking forward to two competitive games against the Border Bruins and Castlegar Rebels.
“Grand Forks has been the best team in the league, we need to find a way to be more disciplined against their power play and hopefully build some confidence,” said Jones.
The Nitehawks head coach added in facing both, it’s continuing to prepare to peak at the right time of year.
“With parent weekend/billet recognition happening, I’m hoping for everyone to be playing their best and that we all have a good experience preparing for the first round of the playoffs,” said Jones.
Nelson Leafs head coach Gianni Mangone was thrilled to bring back goalie Ryder Gregga, who rejoined the team on Feb.11 after missing most of the season to injury.
“I think he’s an incredible goalie and a great person in the room. So when I had the opportunity to do it, I gave him a call and had him sign back up,” Mangone told the Nelson Star.
The Nelson Star reported that despite the long absence, Gregga was easily Nelson’s best player against the Thunder Cats.
“He played unreal. He’s the only reason it was close,” said Mangone.
The Leafs have used Jacob Armstrong as their No.1 with Dylan Spackman backing up, but now Gregga provides another option.
“I trust all my goalies. It hasn’t been the season we wanted since I took over. I don’t think it’s been [the goalies’] fault whatsoever,” Mangone said to the Star.
Gregga said he wasn’t sure if he’ll play in the playoffs, but he’s been looking forward to it since his wayward season began.
“Getting a taste of the finals is something that I’ve had my calendar set for this year, and I think we have the guys in the locker room to make a good push. I think if we just stick to our game plan and the systems [Mangone] has for us, we can take it pretty far.”
Castlegar Rebels interim head coach Alex Evin is seeing small steps from his players.
“Guys are starting to move the puck better up ice, getting more connected in that way. Some of the principles we are trying to play with, we can start to see in our film,” said Evin. “We are trying to show them how we can do things better and how we are doing things well.
“We really need to redefine how they’re competing,” added Evin. “Hopefully we can put things together a bit as we go into the last weekend.”
One thing Evin has liked are their starts. He said they have to sustain their play as the game goes on.
“If you look at our win recently against 100 Mile House, and they have a good team, the guys had a better mindset. They stuck with it,” he said. “We got a good result at the end. Our group has been very receptive. They are going to work at it and that’s all we can ask.”
Hard work and finishing the season on a positive note is important for the Spokane Braves and it’s what is being emphasized to the group, said assistant coach Jason Greenwell.
“We have two 20-year olds this season with Matt Chambers and Owen Ames and it’s about giving them the opportunity to end their junior careers with something to be proud of,” he said. “The guys have come together and had a fun week of practice and we look to do just that this weekend.”
Looking back at the season, Greenwell said they must evaluate where they are and set goals for next season. Team building and coming together as one has been very strong over the last two weeks and Greenwell looks forward to seeing that more at the start of next season.
“I believe that you’ll see a great culture and environment in Spokane next season and we look forward to a strong off-season to push towards that,” he said.
