March
Castlegar lost to Beaver Valley 5-3 in the seventh and deciding game of their Neil Murdoch division final. The game was played in Fruitvale in front of a large and boisterous crowd. The Rebels forced game seven after winning three straight after being down 3-1 in the best of seven series.
The Rebs got off to a strong start with Erik Alden and Tyler Robinson scoring in the first period to put the visitors up 2-0 after one period.
BV scored three unanswered in the second period to take the lead in quick fashion. Robinson scored his second of the game with 34 seconds left in the second to set up an exciting third period.
The Hawks dominated play early in the third but were unable to get the puck past Rebel netminder Jordan Gluck. Castlegar then had their chances but were stymied as well by Hawk goalie Mike Vlanich.
Finally, Justin Niminikin put BV up with 3:04 left in the third. Despite some solid chances, the Rebels couldn't get the equalizer. Ryan Edwards put the game away with an empty netter with 13 seconds left in the game.
Beaver Valley will now move on to play the winner of the Kimberley/Fernie series.
April
Teachers vote to withdraw voluntary services
Teachers throughout B.C. voted last week 73 per cent in favour of withdrawing extra-curricular activities. A total of 21,625 teachers voted yes, while 7,846 voted no.
"It passed with a solid majority in the province," said BCTF Kootenay-Columbia president Andy Davidoff, adding that the local results are not announced because their are so few teachers here compared to the coast.
"It's a provincial result we look at," he said. "Basically, what it means is teachers will be teaching, not participating in B.C. Ministry of Education initiatives and will be refraining from extra-curricular and voluntary activities. That started yesterday (April 16)."
Davidoff said there is a possibility of further job action.
"But that won't happen until there is another provincial vote."
Davidoff said the vote result and any job action is in response to the government's Bill 22.
"If you ask yourself: how far could your employer push you and intentionally choose to treat you poorly?" he said. "Devalue you and demoralize you by passing demeaning legislation eroding your work conditions and collective agreement rights. How far would you have to be pushed before you stood up?"
Davidoff said the decision to withdraw from voluntary activities was not an easy one.
"We love doing our extra-curricular work," he said. "We do this will a great deal of regret but why would you volunteer to do extra things when your employer treats you in the manner that we're being treated."
Some of the activities that could be affected include coaching, grad ceremonies, science or math fairs, clubs, and field trips.