A strong four point weekend for the Fernie Ghostriders has brought them five points up from their biggest division competitor, the Columbia Valley Rockies.
The Riders started out their weekend with a close 2-1 overtime victory in Spokane that was not easily won.
Head coach Jeff Wagner said the performance of Spokane Braves goalie Campbell Arnold is what made the game such a battle. Arnold was able to stop 48 of the 50 shots against him that night.
There was far less activity at the Fernie net but Justin Faiella held strong against the pressure he did receive. The 19-year-old was able to stop 34 of 35 shots fired against him that night.
“I thought Justin Faiella played really well in the third period to kind of give us a chance to push it to overtime,” said Wagner.
“We were then able to convert on a nice play by Dylan Defosse passing it over to Owen Titus.”
Johnny Elias scored Fernie’s first goal unassisted and Titus secured the game-winning goal with just six seconds left in the first overtime period.
The following night, the Riders faced off against the Grand Forks Border Bruins, a team they previously lost to in Sparwood at the start of the season. Aiden Gleisner, Brenden Nemes, Jordon Kromm and Keelan Saworski all made it onto the scoresheet that night, with Kromm scoring two of Fernie’s five goals. Grand Forks was able to sneak in three goals, two in the second period and one in the third.
Riley Fonger turned aside 44 of 47 shots compared to Grand Fork’s Ross King who stopped 50 of 55.
Going into the match, Wagner said they prepared for Grand Fork’s strong transition game and were able to neutralize it, and secure the win.