Aynsley pulls Rebels back into KIJHL Final with OT winner
By The Nelson Daily Sports
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Ryan Aynsley made a decision in January to leave the Trail Smokies of the B.C. Junior Hockey League and return to the Sunflower City.
Everyone in Castlegar is glad he did.
The Kelowna sniper scored at the 8:21 mark of the first overtime to give the Rebels a 2-1 victory over the Osoyoos Coyotes in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League Final Tuesday in Castlegar.
The win lifts the Rebels back into the best-of-seven series at 2-1.
Game four is Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Castlegar Complex.
Tuesday, Castlegar did what it had to do — get the early momentum with the first goal.
Taking the play to the Desert Dogs in the opening frame, Castlegar struck first on the power play as playoff surprise Jesse Knowler beat Kyle Laslo to give the hometown squad a 1-0 lead.
The lead lasted until third period when the Coyotes tied the game up. Steve Sasyniuk, with his seventh of the post season, sent the game into extra time and Aynsley Time.
Castlegar finished the game out shooting the Coyotes 30-17, including an 8-2 advantage in the first period.
Referee Eric Dasti kept a handle on the game, calling 40 minutes in penalties.
FINAL NOTES: Due to a quirk in the KIJHL schedule he game marked the first time this season Osoyoos has played in Castlegar. . . .Jesse Knowler, called up by the Rebels to play five regular season games with Castlegar before joining the Rebels full time in the playoffs, has seven goals and nine assists for 16 points for Kootenay Conference Champs. . . .Ryan Aynsley, second overall in KIJHL playoffs scoring, leads the Rebels in with 32 points. Aynsley is tied with Scott Morriseau of Fernie in goals with 15.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
