Kimberley Dynamiters defeated the Quesnel River Rush 5-3 at the Kimberley Civic Centre tonight (Oct. 2.)
Kimberley opened the scoring on the power play at 7:33 of the first period. Forward Shea Fitzgerald scored with assists from Jake Murdoch and Avery Lynch.
Carter Thiessen answered with a power-play goal for Quesnel with five seconds remaining in the period, tying the game.
Diego Cazac put the River Rush ahead at 7:46 of the second period. Kimberley forward Braeden Jack tied the game on the power play, with Aiden Conroy drawing the assist.
Kimberley Dynamiters vs Quesnel River Rush on Oct. 2, 2026. (Photo Credit: Simone Joseph)
Dynamiters defenceman Nathan Laforge then gave Kimberley the lead on a pass from Riley Lettington.
Ten seconds later, Robert Gassoff tied the game for Quesnel. Less than a minute later, Lincoln Mofford was assessed a five-minute major for cross-checking.
Kimberley capitalized on the ensuing power play when Lynch scored from Miller Tedesco and Fitzgerald, giving the Dynamiters a 4-3 lead heading into the third period.
Forward Jaden Rusznak added a power-play goal five minutes into the third period, assisted by Brayden Schwartz.
At the 11:43 mark of the third frame, Kimberley’s Conner Grainger and Quesnel’s Brody Wood dropped the gloves, with both players receving fighting majors and game misconduct penalties.
Fight during Kimberley Dynamiters vs Quesnel River Rush on Oct. 2, 2026. (Photo Credit: Simone Joseph)
Kimberley goaltender Adam Kisilevich stopped 26 of 29 shots. Quesnel’s netminder made 43 saves on 48 shots.
Kimberley Dynamiters coach Derek Stuart praised his team’s strong start and overall effort.
“I thought we started great. We probably could have ended it in the first period if we paired down on our chances, but let them hang around, but we came out hard in the second and the third, especially, I thought we shut them down pretty good,” said Stuart.
Stuart added that Dynamiters speed was the deciding factor in the result.
“I think they wore down as the game went on. We were physical, that was probably our most physical game so far this year, which was what we wanted to see.”
Kimberley Dynamiters vs Quesnel River Rush on Oct. 2, 2026. (Photo Credit: Simone Joseph)
Speaking about the overall performance, Stuart said the team performed well on power play and this was one of the group better defensive games.
“We’re getting in a habit where we’re severely outshooting teams. We just got to start bearing down a bit more so the games aren’t as close as they are,” said Stuart.
Looking to the Dynamiters next match-up against Beaver Valley, Stuart said their a good team and the group will need to sustain their speed and defense.
“They are good every year, so we’ll have a very good opponent, our toughest one to date. So we just got to carry on with that speed and physicality,” he added.
Kimberley Dynamiters vs Quesnel River Rush on Oct. 2, 2026. (Photo Credit: Simone Joseph)
The Kimberley Dynamiters were unable to practice or play on home ice during the preseason as renovations were taking place at the Kimberley Civic Centre. The team’s first skate at the facility came during it’s home opener on Sept. 26, followed by their first practice on Sept. 28.
“For the new guys, it’s different. It’s definitely much bigger than the rink we were practising in Cranbrook, but they’re starting to adjust a little bit, but I think it’s a huge bonus to get playing in front of our fans and our home ice. The ice is fantastic too, so that helps as well,” adds Stuart.
With the win, the Dynamiters’ record improves to 4-1-1-0, and they move into first place in the Kootenay Division standings.
Next up, the Nitros play the Beaver Valley Nitehawks at the Kimberley Civic Centre on Oct. 9.
Kimberley Dynamiters vs Quesnel River Rush on Oct. 2, 2026. (Photo Credit: Simone Joseph)
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