NM Division Final Games 5, 6, and 7

(BV wins series 4-3)

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
Game 5: Rebels 4 - Nitehawks 3 (2OT)
Game 6: Nitehawks 4 - Rebels 6
Game 7: Rebels 3 - Nitehawks 5


I sincerely apologize for not getting to this in a more timely manner, but prior to game 5, I was asked to modify my way of thinking. So, instead of ranting and raving about the sheer ineptitude of our league officials, I decided to say nothing at all. Yes, I could have just given you all a generic, watered down version of my style, but where is the fun in that?? Instead, I held it all inside and transformed it into positive energy REGARDLESS of the verbal assault via twitter by the Rebel faithfuls. To those, I'd like to say grow up or join the healthy Rebel scratches as they huddle under blankets like little princesses in the bleachers. Wait, what am I saying, you will have to meet at the golf course, my bad :)

Onward and upward! Needless to say, I have a tonne of writing here so games 5 and 6 will be just a short recap as I build towards what we all enjoyed to no end!!

Game 5 (BVA)- Rebels opened the scoring 7:14 into the first on the PP as Scott Morisseau gets his first of 2. Dallas Calvin would tie it up for BV four minutes later on a PP of their own with a nice point shot that beat Gluck clean. The two teams would hold that tie until 6:12 of the 2nd period when Calvin lets go of another point shot that is neatly tipped by Jake Lucchini to give the Nitehawks the lead. That goal by Lucchini was his first career KIJHL playoff goal!! However, the lead would be short lived as Tyler Collins takes a slashing penalty half a minute after the goal and Castlegar would take a total of 13 seconds to bring the game back to even. Tyler Robinson gave CG the lead back two minutes later and a solo effort by Arie Postmus with 3 minutes left would once again put us back at even going into the third. BV had been dominant thus far outshooting CG 25-20 through 2 periods, but in the third they would open it up looking to put it away but Jordan Gluck stopped all 14 shots while his front 5 could only muster 6 on 'Big' Mike Vlanich. A ten minute OT would solve things and so to double OT we go. 2:09 into the second OT, the puck would find Arthur Andrews in front and he made no mistake high stick to win it for CG.

Game Stars: (unlike Castlegar, we DO pick when we lose)

CG - Arthur Andrews - GWG
CG - Jordan Gluck - 46/49 saves
BV - Dallas Calvin 1G 1A

Game 6 (CDCC)- Beaver Valley controlled the first 15 minutes of period one. The last 5 was a different story. The hero of game 5, Arthur Andrews, strikes again at 15:04 and at 15:47, Peter Mingus also gets into the action to give CG the 2-0 lead after 20 minutes. CG actually out-shot BV 14-10 in the opener, but were trodden badly come the 2nd as BV lit their fires and stormed into a 3-2 lead on goals by Chris Derochie(4:37), Craig Martin(10:39), and Mason Spear(13:35) while out-shooting CG 19-5 along the way. The fire would not stay lit in the third as CG re-asserted themselves with 3 goals of their own. Jones got the ball rolling even strength while Morisseau, and Walton would score on the power play just 24 seconds apart to blow the game open. Ryan Baines tried to rally with 7:25 remaining but Robinson shut the door with an empty netter in the final minute to give CG the 6-4 win in a game where the officiating was highly controversial.

Game Stars:

CG - Tyler Robinson 1G 2A
BV - Craig Martin 1G 2A
CG - Jordan Gluck 32/36 saves

Now, onto the main attraction!! Game 7 at home in BV!!

It has GOT to be the game of the century!! In a barn that was LOADED with people, it started with an absolutely brilliant save by 'BIG' Mike V!! Fifteen seconds into the tilt and CG gets a high quality scoring chance only to be thwarted by the pads of Vlanich. CG pushed and pushed HARD! It didnt take long for their efforts to bare fruit as Erik Alden would intercept a clearing pass and beat Vlanich just 2:50 in. Tyler Robinson would do roughly the same thing ten minutes later and suddenly the Rebels have another 2 goal lead after the first period and out-shooting BV 19-6.

Tension mounting but never losing doubt in the fight of the Nitehawks, given the comeback from two nights earlier, I knew they could do it again. It took until 8:11, but Nick Perez got his 2nd of the series and the Hawks were on the board in what was affectionately called the 'zoohouse' by Chris Wahl. Less than a minute later, Ryan Edwards ties it up with a goal of his own and the place is buzzing. When Mason Spear scored with 2:14 left in the second, it was truly a madhouse with BV fans everywhere!! It truly showed the importance of the home-ice advantage as BV fed off that energy through the second while it seemed Castlegar had left it all on the table in the first, leaving little energy to finish the game. Robinson would tie it up before the 2nd break with his 2nd of the night to dampen the mood, but only slightly.

If there was tension to start the 2nd, the third was unbearable, almost! BV proved they still had the desire and will to win as they pushed harder and harder, wearing out Castlegar even more. It was noted and mentioned to me that, throughout the third, the usual after-whistle crap that CG is so well known for, was completely non-existant. With ever increasing pressure, BV FINALLY cracks the armor of Gluck and Justin Niminiken slides home the go-ahead goal with 3:08 left and the barn exploded!!! Try as they might, the Rebels could not muster their usual final minute 'full court press' and Ryan Edwards put this series on ice with an empty netter as BV wins 5-3.

Game Stars:

BV - Mike Vlanich 33/36 saves with several being jaw-droppers
BV - Justin Niminiken 1G 1A - SERIES WINNING GOAL
CG - Jordan Gluck 30/34 saves

Game 5 was reported to have an attendance of almost 600, 591 if I recall correctly. The scoresheet on game 7 reports only 425. That has GOT to be a mistake as there were FAR more people in the barn for game 7! Either way, the place was absolutely packed! The officiating in game 5 and 6....well...lets NOT go there. Game 7 was....even. Although I despise the official for the game, J.Maniago, I have to applaud his ability to keep that whistle firmly, if not literally, planted in his pocket during the third period when soooo many penalties could very well have been called, both ways. It goes against EVERY fiber to actually say.....g-g-g-g-good j-j-j-job.......oh man that was hard!!!

Congratulations to the Nitehawks who NEVER gave up and triumphed over their opposition. Next up, Fernie Ghostriders!! Lets take it to 'em like we know how!!