By Dave Lueneberg:
The Revelstoke Grizzlies spoiled the Kimberley Dynamiters home opener Saturday edging out the Nitros 4-3 in the first game back at the Civic Centre since last April’s double overtime championship thriller.
The Grizzlies jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the middle part of the opening frame, however, goals by Jake Murdoch and Cohen Bell, before the end of the period, knotted things up at 2-2 after 20 minutes.
Avery Lynch put Kimberley up 3-2 early in the second, only to see the visitors bounce back to tie the game at three, just after the midway mark.
Grizzlies’ defenceman Cooper Olsen, though, would seal the deal with the game winner at 13:15 of the third, to hand the Dynamiters their first regulation-time loss in the young season.
“It was a very, ugly September hockey game for sure,” head coach Derek Stuart said, following the contest.
“The effort from our team wasn’t there where it needed to be for most of the game. Our penalty kill struggled tonight, but our powerplay was okay. Missed the net too many times for my liking. Other than that, I think we played okay.”
Nitros forward Braeden Jack left the game in the first period after a blueline collision in the offensive zone, but didn’t return.
There was no update on his condition post-game.
Kimberley (2-1-1) continue their homestand with a game Tuesday night against Columbia Valley, a team they beat 8-3 Friday night in their own building.
Puck drop is 7 p.m.
Kimberley Dynamiters championship banners. (Photo Credit: Dave Lueneberg)
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