Fernie Ghostriders and Kimberley Dynamiters are locked in a heated race heading into the playoffs, as both teams battle it out on the ice for the top spot in their division.
As of Feb. 16, the Nitros were leading the Eddie Mountain Division with 63 points, with Riders hot on their heels only five points below.
With a handful of games still to come leading up to playoffs, either team could take the top place. The Riders will need to do well in their final games against Columbia Valley Rockies and Creston Thundercats. While the Nitros stumbled on Feb. 15 with a 6-5 loss against Kelowna Chiefs, they could make up for it in their two final games.
Both teams will have the benefits of playing on home ice during the first round of playoffs.
Meanwhile, Princeton Posse and Revelstoke Grizzlies are in the running to finish first overall in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL).
Forward Taylor Haggerty was one of three KIJHL players to get the Star of the Week title earlier in February, alongside Grizzly defenceman Liam O'Neill and Nitro goalie Josh Hager.
Haggerty currently leads the Riders with 58 points in 39 games, which puts him in third place for player rankings in the KIJHL. He scored five goals and three assists in the span of three games this month.
He slammed the puck into the net for a winning shot in a neck-to-neck game against the Thundercats on on Feb. 4. When the Riders played the Beaver Valley Nitehawks on Feb. 7, he scored twice and collected an assist, leading the team into overtime where they were overtaken by the Hawks by one point. He led two goals and assists against the Rockets on Feb. 8, including the final winning shot.
The Riders wrapped up an excellent match against the Osoyoos Coyotes on Feb. 15. Lucas Desjarlais returned to the ice after a one game suspension for fighting and goalie Nick Kunyk had his first game in the net following a six game suspension for punching Nitros Remy Spooner in the face a few weeks ago.
Desjarlais had three major goals and one assist against the Coyotes. Haggerty and Eric Martin helped the game along with two goals and four assists, respectively.
The Riders are partnering with Diverse Family Roots for an Autism Acceptance Game in Fernie on Feb. 22. The team plays the Thundercats and will promote awareness of autism and inclusivity in the community.
Autism t-shirts are available for pre-order through the Ghostrider website and $5 for every shirt sold will support Diverse Family Roots.
