Chris Stedile
Castlegar News
Four games into the first round of KIJHL playoffs, the Rebels are on shaky ground.
Castlegar is currently tied with Spokane’s Braves with two wins and two losses but the games they lost, they lost big.
Game one was played in Castlegar Friday. The Rebels emerged with a 4-3 victory after a weak start.
Ryan Rosich scored the first goal for the Rebels, early in the first. However Spokane replied with three straight, one near the end of the first period and the other two deep into the second.
With 4:59 remaining in the second, Jeremy McNeil pulled Castlegar back into the fight, beating goaltender Trevor Dilauro.
Despite being outshot every period, including 10-5 in the third, Rebel Aaron Petten scored two unanswered goals, giving the W to Castlegar.
Game two took place at the complex as well, but this time Spokane was the victor.
In a back and forth tug-o-war the Braves finally broke away in the third period with two quick power play goals. The final score was 6-3.
Castlegar went 2-for-5 on their own man advantage chances, with goals coming from McNeil and Cal Owens.
The following game in Spokane was much like the calm before the storm: four penalties including one for delay of game and a final score of 2-1 for Castlegar.
There was no scoring in the first, followed by a Spokane goal by Lance Noomen in the second and then two Castlegar goals in the third from Yannis Soukas and Darren Medeiros.
In game four on Tuesday, however, the Rebels were crushed 6-0.
Castlegar took several more penalties this game — including unsportsmanlike conduct assessed against Dylan Ofner — and couldn’t capitalize on six of their own power play chances, leading to the dismal outcome.
Castlegar actually outshot the Braves 43-33 but couldn’t stop the steady stream of two goals per period by the home team.
The Rebels are back in Castlegar tonight to redeem themselves and work towards advancing into round two. Game six will be played tomorrow in Spokane and if necessary, the seventh game will take place back in Castlegar on Saturday.