Rebels closing in on Kootenay Title, winner meets Osoyoos
By The Nelson Daily Sports
By Bruce Fuhr
The Nelson Daily Sports
The Castlegar Rebels are within a game of playing for the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League title.
First period goals by Ryan Aynsley and Diego Bartlett would be all the scoring the Rebels would need as Castlegar edged Fernie Ghostriders 3-1 in Kootenay Conference Final action Saturday night in the Sunflower City.
After taking game one in Fernie, the Rebels took care of business on home ice, sweeping the two games in Castlegar to grab a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Game five is Monday in Fernie.
“We’re very happy to get the wins (but) now we have to figure out a way to get back to Fernie and get a win which is a tall order against a very good team,” Rebel head coach Steve Junker told The Nelson Daily.
“Winning the fourth game is always the toughest but we have to figure out a way to get it done cause opportunities like these don’t come along every day and you don’t want to let a team like Fernie get any momentum.”
Getting the two first period goals was huge for the Rebels. It got the home crowd into the game. The players could relax playing with the lead.
However, Junker feels the ability of the Rebels to keep the high-octane Rider offence under control was the key to sweeping the two games at home.
“To completely shutdown their offence is a tall order,” Junker, making a difference in his first season coaching the Rebels, explained.
“Guys like (Scott) Morriseau, (Thomas) Abenante and (Cale) Wright are great players so limiting their chances is key.”
Morriseau and Abenante are one, two in KIJHL playoff scoring combing for 60 points.
Luke Richardson scored in the second period for Fernie to cut the lead to 2-1. Morriseau and Abenante assisted on the goals.
But Alex Ross slammed the door on the Rider offence in the third, and when Spencer Brodt scored into the empty net the Rebels were on their way to the win.
After getting out shot 17-9 in the first period, Fernie pushed the envelope in the next two periods as the teams tied 32-32 in shots.
Tempers flared with 55 seconds remaining in the second frame as referee Shawn Peel handed out 38 minutes in penalties.
Aynsley and Brodt each finished with two points for Castlegar.
If a game six is necessary it will be played Tuesday in Castlegar. Game time 7:30 p.m.
Coyotes wrap up Okanagan title Sunday
Steve Sasyniuk scored twice to lead the Osoyoos Coyotes to a 4-2 victory over the Grizzlies Sunday night in Okanagan Conference Final in Revelstoke.
The win gives the Desert Dogs the series 4-2.
Osoyoos jumped to a 2-0 lead, increased the margin to 3-1 after 40 minutes en route to the victory. Jason Bell and Thierry Martine also scored for the Coyotes. Bruce Silvera and Brad Friedrich replied for Revelstoke which was unable to defend its 2010 KIJHL title.
Saturday, Ross Mancuso and Sam Nigg scored second period goals to spark the Osoyoos to a 4-2 win in the South Okanagan City.
Taylor House and Steve Sasyniuk also scored for the Coyotes, which lead the best-of-seven series 3-2.
Devon Hascarl and Lucas Hildebrand replied for the defending KIJHL champs.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
