NM Division Final Games 3 & 4: Nitehawks/Rebels

(BV leads series 3-1)

Game 1: Rebels 1 - Nitehawks 4
Game 2: Rebels 4 - Nitehawks 5 - OT
Game 3: Nitehawks 2 - Rebels 3
Game 4: Nitehawks 5 - Rebels 2


Good Morning Hawks Fans. What a weekend!! It was a "lose some, win some" type of weekend (backwards, I know). After suffering a heartbreaking loss on a controversial goal, BV bounced back the following night and played like the team that only lost 10 times all season and picked up the split in one of the toughest barns in the league.

Game 3: Early on it was evident that the Nitehawks were going to catch no luck. After getting the first 3 power plays of the game, lack of discipline resulted in 2 Rebel goals, the 2nd was just after the pp ended. With only 1:11 gone in the second period, CG has a 2 goal lead that, with the way Gluck has been playing, seems near insurmountable. Just 2 mins later, BV finally cashes in on the man advantage as Nims closes the Rebel lead to 1. With 7 mins remaining in the 2nd, AP Jake Lucchini in his first career KIJHL playoff game, streaked down the left boards, pulled up and tossed the perfect saucer pass to the front of the net where Scott Davidson stretched and tipped it past Gluck for the tie game!!

The 3rd was a testament to goal tending as both made unreal saves. It took until 3 mins remaining before any headway was made. Morisseau leapt on a rebound in front and pushed the puck in past Vlanich as the net was knocked off. It was a close bang-bang play that the ref was in no position to make. I was, but it was so close and fast, I don't know with certainty if it crossed the line before or after the net came off. Yet, in a close tie game late in the third, Peel, yes Peel, called it a goal. So with only 3 mins remaining, BV is down 3-2 in a hostile barn. Despite a massive push and several near goals, Castlegar hangs on to win 3-2.

Game Stars:

CG - Brendan Heinrich
CG - Jordan Gluck
BV - Scott Davidson

Game 4: BV discipline in game 3 was sketchy at best, so it only stands to reason that in order to defeat the pesky Rebels, they must stick to their game plan. Saturday night, they did. Unlike the hard hitting action that they started out with in game 3, BV had a more calculated plan for the night. If the rumors about the Rebels headhunting Collins for his hit in the first period in game 3 were true, they didnt affect the Hawks. Collins himself, and even Spear for that matter, played a much more disciplined game with no reaction to the constant agitation of Castlegar.

Just like game 3, CG opened the scoring again as Diego Bartlett teamed up with Andrews and Disher to make it 1-0 for the Rebels. After being victimized the night before on the pk, BV stepped it up and was perfect on the night. Castlegar, however, was not so fortunate. Eviston and Pearson took penalties late in the opening frame just 1:07 apart giving BV a long 2-man advantage. They took only :09 seconds to capitalize on the 5-on-3 as Craig Martin tips home a Postmus point shot to tie the game at 1 going into the break.

The second period started like the first ended, undisciplined play by CG. BV was unable to make them pay for it this time and we remained at 1. A Rebel scoring chance leads to a CG playing running into BV goalie Zach Perehudoff which got the ire of d-man Nick Perez. Instead of coincidentals, Dasti calls only the roughing on Perez. Delong took his team off the pp with a boarding call shortly after and so we got some 4-on-4 for about a minute and then BV was back on the pp.  This time they made no mistake and Martin gets his 2nd of the night for the 2-1 lead they wouldnt relinquish. Things would get a little rough with just under 5 to go in the 2nd. Brantley Schapansky went into the corner to make a hit on Disher only to be tripped on the way in. His now off-balance hit was a more severe than intended and Disher was injured on the play. Dasti in his infinite wisdom decides on a 5 minute charging penalty along with a game misconduct. Luckily, Heinrich gets nabbed for holding shortly after which cuts the BV pk time. With 1:17 left in the 2nd and CG now on the pp again, Nick Perez walked in and snuck a puck 5-hole on Gluck shorthanded to give BV the 3-1 lead after 2.

With confidence soaring, BV kept pressure on in the Rebel zone in the 3rd. Castlegar briefly pushed back and capitalized on a centering pass to Horcoff to cut the BV lead to 1. Another BV power play, and another Arie Postmus point shot gives the Nitehawks their 2-goal lead back with 8:30 to go. Pressure and saves on both ends but with the Rebel net empty, Edwards streaks in and caps off the night with an empty netter as BV wins 5-2 and takes a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.

Game Stars: Well, I have to choose my own as it would seem that a certain @kijhlwatcher is correct in one aspect, Castlegar only chooses stars when they win, totally classless.

BV - Arie Postmus - 1G 2A
BV - Chris Derochie - 3A
BV - Nick Perez - 1G GWG

How is it that in 4 games, we have had the pleasure of 3 of the worst officials to ever grace the ice? Games 3 and 4 saw Dasti and Peel(again). You can ask anyone in the arena, yes, even the Rebel fans. The officiating is poor and it seems to be rubbing off on the linesmen. I dont know if the pressure of the playoffs is getting to them, but they need to step up and get their heads straight before those lunatic fans at the complex lynch them.

Speaking of fans, before the series started, I actually had several Rebel supporters talk with me and ask me to "control our fans". Seriously? After hearing the crap and disrespect that spews from Castlegar fans, I dont think they have any grounds to be asking US to get under control. Not to mention the throwing of objects onto the ice at the Nitehawk players and security not doing anything about it. It wasnt surprising as the security guard in question was wearing a Rebels sweatshirt. It just further re-inforces how all year I have labelled the Rebels the dirtiest team in the league, and it seems they have fans to match.

Next game is on Monday March 12, 2012 at 7pm at the BVA. Nitehawks can close out the series and eliminate the vermin. Lets all come out and cheer on our boys!!