Ghostriders trample Rockies

Rockies update from November 23 game – by Steve Mantyka.

The Fernie Ghostriders are the cream of the crop in the KIJHL and they proved it again last night, scoring three power play goals en route to an 8-2 win in Invermere over the Columbia Valley Rockies. James Werner started the scoring from Scott Anderson, at 15:14 while Kalen Bird sat in the box, serving a minor that ended with just three seconds left to serve.

The Rockies answered back on a bad goal, Kevin Anderson wristing one on net from outside the blueline that eluded Fernie goalie Joel Miller. Miller would love to have that one back, no doubt. The ‘Riders replied at 13:40, Bond Hawryluk from Zach Traverse to regain the lead. Back on the power play, the ‘Riders went to work and again, it was James Werner finding the twine, this time Josh Garneau assisting at 10:13, with Briar McNaney in the sin bin. At 3:09 the gloves dropped and Cody Brndjar for the Rockies and Fernie Captain Tim Crawley tossed the fists and were sent to the dressing room for an early shower. This seemed to give the Rockies some life as they carried the play for a few minutes, but were thwarted by Miller.

The teams traded power play chances in the second period, but neither came away with a goal with the man advantage. Fernie did add to their total, though Zach Fridella with an assist to Werner and Werner scoring again, unassisted, when he easily won a battle in front of the net. After two periods, it was 5-1 Fernie.

To start the third, the Rockies brought in Cameron Dagg to tend the net and he saw action early and often, but kept the Ghostriders off the sheet early in the period. Columbia Valley got their second goal on the power play, Briar McNaney from Darrell Boldon and Julian Fraser at 16:26 to cut the lead to 5-2. With Kevin Dunlop in the penalty box for hooking, the Fernie power play got going again, Werner with his third power play effort and fourth goal of the game at 6:58, from Fridella and Brendon Mangone. The Hawryluk boys added goals late to round out the scoring and make the final 8-2.

The three stars were Werner – 4 goals and an assist; Bond Hawryluk a goal and two assists, including a beauty of a deke on a breakaway; and Zach Fridella, one goal and one assist and a danger to score all night.

In net, Joel Miller got the win for Fernie, stopping 19 of 21 shots directed his way. For the Rockies, Jeff Magee stopped 27 of 32 and was tagged for the loss, Cam Dagg was 14 of 17 as he mopped up in the third period.

Fernie was missing leading scorer Jessie Niemi and Columbia Valley was without Sean Menton and Dane Milliken.

The Rockies host the Castlegar Rebels on Friday night, the wrap up for Prostate Cancer Awareness and the many silent auction items will be up for bid. Stop in and see the growth of MOvember and join in the fight against Prostate Cancer.

See you at the rink!