The battle is on as two strong teams attempt to win the first playoff round in the Neil Murdoch Division of the KIJHL. The Castlegar Rebels and the Grand Forks Border Bruins are tied two apiece.
After splitting two games in Castlegar last week Feb.23 and 24, the teams fought it out in Grand Forks splitting again the outcomes. Friday’s game, Feb. 26 was won by Grand Forks 3-2 after two periods of overtime. Saturday’s game was dominated in the first period by four Rebels goals. But Grand Forks came back and scored five goals to pull ahead. Rebels Mike Bhatoa tied up the game 5-5 with seven minutes left in the third period.
The game went into overtime and Chris Breese put his third goal of the night into the Bruins’ net only 30 seconds after the play began.
The Rebels host game five Monday, Feb 29. Game six is in Grand Forks on Tuesday, March 1. Puck drop is 7 p.m. for both games.