New Years Beginning!!

First of all, I'd like to wish everyone a belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! Its been a hectic and somewhat demanding time of year which has resulted in a lack of time to sit down and reflect on what has transpired of the last few weeks.

Two home'n'homes and a tonne of turkey have the Nitehawks currently sitting atop the KIJHL. Technically, they are tied with Kamloops at 55pts, but 2 games in hand and 2 more wins gives them the nod for top spot.

It started in Nelson on Dec 16th. Kamloops had a 2pt lead on BV in the standings but had been slipping. Nitehawks invaded the NDCC and came out with a 4-3 win on goals by Martin, Spear(2), and Calvin. Mike Vlanich hauled in 1st star for the game. The venue shifted to BV for the second half 2 nights later on Dec 18th where Craig Martin stole the show netting all 4 of the Nitehawk goals and 1st star in another 4-3 BV win.

Kamloops loss to Princeton on Dec 16th and gave BV top spot, but only temporarily as Kamloops won on the 17th while BV sat idle. The 18th proved to be bitter sweet for the Nitehawks. Their win gave them what they thought was going to be the lead throughout the holidays, but Kamloops managed a single point in an OT loss to Chase giving them the league lead at the break.


 With Kamloops not playing until Jan 6th, the Nitehawks had a chance to pass and put some serious distance between them and anyone else. Unfortunately, I think the turkey is still weighing heavy. Dec 29th in Castlegar was their chance to take the lead but were outworked in the 1st period but picked things up in the final 2. Sadly, the push by the Rebels in period 1 was enough to seal the win as Ryan Edwards had the only BV tally midway through the second in a 3-1 loss. The loss also marks the first time BV has lost since November 5th (also to the Rebels), a string of 13 straight wins.

Dec 30th once again had the venue switch to the Beaver Valley Arena and the second half versus Castlegar. As they had the previous night, BV was outworked and outplayed in the first period but managed to escape with the game tied on a late ppg by Craig Martin. BV picked up play in the 2nd and took the lead on a goal by Mason Spear only to be answered unassisted just :08 seconds later on a defensive miscue. Justin Niminiken pushed BV into the lead just before the midpoint of the game and the Nitehawks looked to be taking a 2 goal lead but had it called off due to a "high-stick" (dont get me going on the officiating, we could be here all night). So, a 1 goal lead it was, but a lead is a lead until another defensive zone giveaway resulted in a Rebel goal in the last minute. The third period would yield no goals although BV pushed hard and had several quality chances to ice it but were unable to finish. Off to OT we go with BV pushing hard once again when against the flow and yet another defensive giveaway, Tyler Jones gets his second of the game and the game winner as BV loses 4-3.

The loss in overtime still granted the Nitehawks that single needed point to catch Kamloops, finally! And now, tonight, sitting at 55 pts, they host the Braves from Spokane in an attempt to pull away. Game time is 7:00pm at Beaver Valley Arena.