Page powers Dynamiters past Leafs in OT, Kimberley advances into KIJHL Final
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Cooper Page scored eight minutes into the second overtime period to give the Kimberley Dynamiters a 2-1 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League Playoff victory over the Nelson Leafs Friday night at the NDCC Arena.
The win gives Kimberley a 4-2 decision in the best-of-seven Kootenay Conference Final.
The Dynamiters now await the winner of the Okanagan Shuswap Conference series between Osoyoos and Revelstoke.
The Coyotes now lead the series 3-2 after defeating the Grizzlies 2-0 Friday in Revelstoke.
Playing shorthanded with only 16 skaters dressed, including two key defenceman out of the lineup, the Leafs gave the Eddie Mountain champs everything they could handle before a crowd of more than 950 spectators.
Kimberley opened the scoring when Bryce Mcdonald beat Caiden Kreitz in the Nelson nets midway through the first period.
Leaf captain Sawyer Hunt tied the game in the second, scoring his first goal of the Kootenay Conference Final.
The game remained tied through 60 minutes and into the second overtime period with Nelson owning much of the play in extra time, outshooting the Nitros 12-6.
However, Page, combined with Brock Palmer and James Farmer beat Caiden Kreitz in the Nelson nets to lift Kimberley into the KIJHL Final.
Kimberley finished the game outshooting Nelson 31-27.
Cody Campbell, who shutout the Leafs 4-0 Thursday in Kimberley, won for the 12th time in the playoffs.
Kreitz, replacing injured Leafs starter Josh Williams, was outstanding between the pipes for Nelson in a losing effort.
Despite losing in six games to Kimberley, the season has to be considered a success as the Heritage City franchise rebounded back to one of the elite teams in the KIJHL.
Not only did the Green and White capture the Murdoch Division Regular season title for the first time since 2014, but Nelson was able to make it back into the Kootenay Conference Final since 2010.
The Leafs also staged a successful off-ice campaign during the season to raise awareness for Autism.
SERIES NOTES: Leaf captain Sawyer Hunt and Kimberley netminder Cody Campbell were selected Game stars in Game six. . . .No word on the start date for the KIJHL Final. Game six of the Okanagan Shuswap Final goes Saturday in Osoyoos. If a Game seven is needed, it will be played Sunday in Revelstoke. . . . The KIJHL winner represents the league in the Cyclone Taylor Cup, April 12-15 in Richmond against teams from the Pacific Junior Hockey League and Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League. Richmond Sockeyes gain an automatic berth as host City. . . . Friday’s game concluded the career for 20-year-olds Sawyer Hunt, Josh Williams, Nicholas Wihak and Zach Morey.
