Kootenay Conference Final: Game 5

(BV wins series 4-1)

Game 1: Ghostriders 2 - Nitehawks 5
Game 2: Ghostriders 6 - Nitehawks 3
Game 3: Nitehawks 4 - Ghostriders 2
Game 4: Nitehawks 2 - Ghostriders 0
Game 5: Ghostriders 2 - Nitehawks 6

KOOTENAY CONFERENCE CHAMPS!!!!

After escaping from Fernie with 2 wins on the road due to stellar goaltending from both Zach Perehudoff in game 3, and his first career KIJHL playoff shutout from Mike Vlanich in game 4, the Nitehawks were at home for game 5 with the chance to move off to the league final with a win.

The almost non-existent CCR line finally got a tally at the midpoint of the first period to open the scoring as Martin nets a ppg to give BV the much needed 1-0 lead. It was short lived as Connor McLaughlin made good on the second consecutive shorthanded breakaway given up by BV just minutes later. Derek Lashuk would re-assert that lead on the same power play with a rocket just :08 after Fernie tied it. Hard work and a crushing fore-check lead to a bang-bang play and Calvin buried it to give BV the a 3-1 lead after 1.

The second period was almost a flip-flop of the first as Fernie came out with passion and determination to not let things get away from them. The Nitehawk defense was the difference tonight and it took until 10:44 before Fernie finally snuck (and i mean SNUCK) the puck past Zach. Brendan Burge  drove the net and literaly found a hole just big enough to stuff the puck in between Perehudoff and the post to pull Fernie to within 1 and keep them close. Completely against the flow of play, Calvin, with unbelievable patience, waits out Abdallah and rips it past his out-stretched glove to once again give BV the 2-goal lead and chases Abdallah from the net. Less than a minute later, Justin Niminiken welcomes Solecki to the game and stretches that lead to 3 and BV takes a 5-2 lead into the 3rd period despite being outplayed and out-shot in the 2nd.

In the last 20 minutes of their season, Fernie left it all out on the ice. BV's defense once again was the story blocking untold amounts of shots and keeping the Rider forwards on the outsides when they exerted pressure in the Hawks zone. Again, it was a hard grinding period that was scoreless until Max Flanagan and AP Jake Lucchini once again created absolute havoc in the Riders end with a grueling fore-check that created a juicy turn-over and this time Josh Peters was the recipient who made no mistake to nail the coffin shut on the Ghostriders season. Perehudoff was spectacular in net stopping all 11 shots as BV breezed off to 6-2 win.

Game Stars:

BV - Zach Perehudoff - 30/32 saves
BV - Dallas Calvin - 2G
BV - Max Flanagan - 1A

This win really belongs to the grinders. Max Flanagan and speedster AP Lucchini caused no end of fits for Rider defense, while Johnson, Baines, and Schapansky all kept the forwards looking back with crushing hits and open ice muscle. Since game 1 of the series, the all-star line of Craig Martin, Chris Derochie, and Ryan Edwards (#CCR) have combined for a total of 1 goal and 7 assists over the final 4 games. With a power outage from the top line like that, one would have to be a bit concerned. Fortunately, the other three lines have stepped up and picked up the slack. Given the depth of talent, and the distinct possibility that the top line WILL kick back into gear, the Kelowna Chiefs have everything to fear going into the KIJHL League Final. Sure, Kelowna has 2 of the top 5 playoff scorers this season, but so did Fernie, and look where that got them.

At the beginning of the play-offs, I had heard mixed feelings regarding the addition of Jake Lucchini to the line-up. I, myself, was quite excited to see him with the opportunity but questioned the timing. Sure he is fast, but he was being pushed around like the runt at the feeding trough. His early play looked weak and with-out passion, but as the play-offs progressed, he picked up that passion and started to push back! His fight and determination in game 5 was epic and directly lead to 2 goals. Although he sorely needs to bulk up a bit to remain a huge force, he is young and has that time to do so.

Now, on to 'other' matters....officiating. Ask anyone sitting near me during this game, I was utterly confused as to what was going on. Read the game sheet yourself for the official in question. Sure, the calls were weirdly slanted in BV's direction, but that doesnt make it right! I have said all alone that I call it as I see it, and I saw garbage. Several calls were made FOR BV that should have gone against them. It actually gave me a chance to see what the rest of the league has been enjoying all year, and I still dont like it!! I dont care if we benefit or suffer from incompetence, its still a travesty either way. Bottom line I guess, BV dealt with it and persevered all season, that gives them the edge in my mind regardless of the level of officiating in the upcoming games.

Congratulations to the Beaver Valley Nitehawks on their first Conference banner since 2006!!!

Next up - Kelowna!! Games 1 and 2 are here in the BVA on March 28th and 29th at 7pm both nights. Lets pack the barn and cheer on our Nitehawks as they fly off to a League title.

3 down - 1 to go