KIJHL Notebook: Neil Murdoch Division
By Emanuel Sequeira KIJHL Director of Communications
Neil Murdoch Division
Grand Forks Border Bruins head coach-general manager Dave Hnatiuk feels they had a pretty solid first half.
“The games we dropped were lessons for us to learn and areas that we need to make sure we can be prepared for in the future,” he said.
Hnatiuk added every player finds their groove at different times, and different units click at different times.
“Players go on heaters at different times. Look at Brandon Gray, Tyler Burke and Levi Astill right now. They’re super hot. It’s overall a year’s worth of work.”
Terry Jones felt his Beaver Valley Nitehawks came out flying for their New Year’s Eve game with the Nelson Leafs.
“They were engaged, disciplined and I just felt like we hadn’t moved the puck like that in quite awhile, so it’s a really nice way to close out 2024,” said the Nitehawks head coach-general manager. “I look forward to bigger and brighter things in 2025.”
Jones said they got a boost from the first intermission marriage ceremony between Richard Stinn and Sheila Lewis.
“After the first period we were OK, but after the wedding we were flying and it was moving the puck really well.
“We felt like maybe we need to get more weddings in the Beaver Valley Arena,” Jones joked. “Yeah, it was great.”
Earning a 4-2 win over the Castlegar Rebels in December was big for the Nelson Leafs and was the first victory for new head coach Gianni Mangone.
“I think the boys really rallied around each other to make sure that we were able to get at least one in this time of a slump,” said Mangone. “I’m proud of them for that, thankful for them to get my first win, but this is all about them.”
Picking up a victory against the Princeton Posse on home ice is one of the biggest wins for the Castlegar Rebels. Head coach Nick Headrick said it was their most complete game.
“Our biggest moment was right before Christmas break and Josh Hogman scoring that overtime winner against the Beaver Valley Nitehawks before we went to the break was a big win for us,” said Headrick. “We’re kind of trying to chase down Nelson and then playing Beaver Valley was a pretty good opponent.”
The biggest moment for the Spokane Braves was a come from behind win over the Beaver Valley Nitehawks 5-4 on Dec.1. They trailed 3-0 14 minutes into the first period.
“The group came together and overcame adversity to kick start a 7-3 run in the next 10 games,” said Braves assistant coach Jason Greenwell. “Our team has learned how to win and play for each other. We are very proud of how far they have come this season and look forward to a great second half.”
