Chris Stedile
Castlegar News
After two decisive wins over Spokane’s Braves and advancing to the next round of the KIJHL’s Murdoch Division playoffs, the Castlegar Rebels continue to struggle against the Beaver Valley Nitehawks. Castlegar lost the first two games of their series against Beaver Valley this week.
The Rebels seriously outplayed the Braves at Thursday night’s Game 5, getting off many more shots — 48-26 — and winning 5-2.
Scoring opened up halfway through the first with Brett Leidl putting Castlegar up by one at 10:41. Spokane soon followed with their own goal with three minutes to go in the period.
The second period was much the same, with the Rebels finding the back of the net at the 11 minute mark and the Braves following suit, leading into the final period 2-2.
Castlegar had the Braves’ number by this point and scored three unanswered goals, first from Tyler Barrett, followed by a power play marker by Aaron Petten. An empty net goal by Dylan Ofner sealed the deal.
The final game of round one was another strong performance by Castlegar.
Again, almost twice as many shots over the opposition and a third period shutout led to a 4-2 win. Jeremy McNeil scored the go-ahead goal in the final period and added another for good measure.
The second-round series is now underway and the Rebels are mirroring regular season habits.
The Nitehawks have shut down Castlegar for two straight games and aim to continue their streak when they play the Rebels at home tonight and tomorrow.
The opening game ended 3-2 after almost a full overtime period.
Period one had one goal from each sides. Ross Armour scored for B.V. and Lindan Calliou came right back with his own a few minutes later.
The second period had the Hawks’ Spencer McLean netting the lone goal.
With 12:58 remaining in the third, Dawson Haines tied it up with a goal on Carson Schamerhorn.
Regulation time ended and the game went to overtime. With slightly more than a minute left in the extra frame, Devin Nemes closed the case and B.V. won.
Tuesday night’s Game 2 wasn’t nearly as close. In a rather disciplined game, Beaver Valley out-shot Castlegar 40-32 and won 6-2.
The Nitehawks piled up three goals in the first two periods before the Rebels saw their first goal on the board shortly into the third. Jeremy McNeil broke the shutout but two more Hawks goals followed immediately.
The clock dwindled to under ten minutes when the Rebels scored their last goal. However two goals weren’t enough and with one final score before the game ended, Beaver Valley won.
Game 3 goes tonight at 7 p.m. at the Castlegar rec complex.