Rebels oust Riders from KIJHL playoffs, clinch Kootenay Final
By The Nelson Daily Sports
By The Nelson Daily Sports
It took the Castlegar a period to get their skating legs going, but once Rebel machine was moving in the right direction nothing was going to stop it.
The Rebels scored three second period power play goals to dump the Fernie Ghostriders 5-2 in KIJHL playoff action Tuesday night before a packed house at the Castlegar Complex.
The win gives the Rebels the Kootenay Conference title and a date in the KIJHL Final against the Osoyoos Coyotes. Castlegar wins the best-of-seven series 4-2, winning all three games on home ice.
Ryan Aynsley scored twice and Spencer Brodt added a single as the Rebels took the play to the Riders, out shooting the Eddie Mountain Champs 13-3 in the period.
Fernie held a considerable advantage in the play during the opening frame, as the Riders out shot Castlegar 11-4.
The teams exchanged power play goals in the first period.
Tyler Robinson scooped a loose puck past Andrew Walton in the Fernie nets before Johnny Park did the same at the other end of the ice, scoring with the man advantage on Rebel netminder Alex Ross.
In the second Brodt and Michael Anderson, short handed, made the score 2-2.
However, Aynsley turned the game in Castlegar’s favour with a pair of power play goals before the period ended.
Erik Wentzel scored seconds in to the third period to complete the scoring.
Castlegar out shot Fernie 25-21 making Ross a winner in goal against former mate Andrew Walton.
ICE CHIPS: The KIJHL Final between Osoyoos and Castlegar begins Saturday in the South Okanagan. . . .This is the third straight year Fernie has lost in the Kootenay Conference Final. The Riders won the KIJHL title in 2008. . . . .The last time Castlegar won the league crown was in 1996. . . .Fernie’s one-two punch of Scott Morriseau and Thomas Abenante — entering the contest with 65 points between them — were held scoreless in the contest while Rebel sniper Ryan Aynsley finished with three points. Aynsley is third in playoff scoring behind Abenante and Morriseau . . .In the only meeting this season between the two KIJHL finalists, Osoyoos pounded the Rebels 7-3 November 26 in the South Okanagan. . . .Fernie now waits to host the Cyclone Taylor Cup March 31 to April 3.
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