By Matt Laurin
The Fernie Ghostriders increased their winning streak to seven games, after beating two divisional rivals in back to back games this weekend.
Playing from behind on both nights, the Riders exploded for seven third period goals to knock off the Golden Rockets and Kimberley Dynamiters and hold on to their lead in the Eddie Mountain Division.
“We don’t like to lose in our own building, and especially against Kimberley,” said defenseman Matt Carr. “It starts with the coaching staff, and goes right down to the players, that the winning streak means nothing unless we keep it going.”
Fernie hosted Golden on Friday and were able to overcome a slow start on home ice, before finally giving the crowd something to cheer about in the third period.
After Golden jumped to a lead late in the second, Californian import Tyler Gonzalez put the Riders on the board with an early third period power play goal. Less than four minutes later, Dylan Rota scored a shorthanded goal and Fernie never looked back. Josh McKissock added an insurance marker a minute later, before Rota scored his second of the night to seal the Rockets fate.
It was a similar story in Kimberley on Saturday, as the two rivals met for just the second time this season.
The Riders spotted the Nitros the early lead before mounting another third period comeback, in a physical affair between two teams that clearly don’t like each other.
Brendan Burge once again led the way, scoring back to back goals before McKissock added an empty net marker.
The Riders continue a long stretch of divisional games this week. Fernie heads to Invermere on Tuesday for a midweek clash with the Columbia Valley Rockies, before returning home to host the Golden Rockets on Saturday night. As always, puck drops at 7:30.