By Sara Moulton
The Ghostriders’ action-packed exhibition weekend resulted in one loss, one draw and one resounding victory in back-to-back games ahead of the regular season opener.
The Riders hosted the Kimberley Dynamiters for the first exhibition game last Friday, with several of their younger rookies dominating the ice time. Cavin Tilsley and Kyle Haugo put the Riders on the scoreboard with assists from Sam Plaquin, but at the end of the night it was Kimberley who took the game, with a final score of 5-2.
On Saturday, it was the Dynamiters turn to host, treating the Kimberley crowd to a back-and-forth battle between the division rivals. It appeared that the Ghostriders were again testing out some of their younger talent, including 16-year-old goaltender Brandon Youngson. The end result of a 3-3 draw was a step in the right direction from the previous night.
The action returned to the Fernie Memorial Arena on Sunday night when the Riders delivered an 8-4 thumping to the Golden Rockets. Aidan Geiger, Matt Pronchuk and Joel Burgess each contributed two goals for the home team, in addition to two more from Josh McCulloch and Aaron Neufeld. A second period lapse in concentration allowed the Rockets to briefly claw back and tie the game, but a surge during the third delivered five goals and a victory for Fernie.
The regular season will begin for the Ghostriders in Invermere this weekend, followed by a series of road games before their home opener on Saturday, September 27. New team members Tilsley, Plaquin and Tayler Sincennes have all looked promising during the pre-season and will be ones to watch during the upcoming months.
Off the ice, billet homes are still being sought for this season, which includes a $400 per month subsidy and two seasons passes for host families. Please contact Lynda at 250-423-4504 or 250-423-1188 for more information.