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Riders bounce back

After falling in overtime on Friday, the Fernie Ghostriders bounced back with a convincing 4 – 2 win over the Creston Valley Thunder Cats.
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Chris Solecki makes an early first period save on Saturday.

By Matt Laurin

 

After falling in overtime on Friday, the Fernie Ghostriders bounced back with a convincing 4 – 2 win over the Creston Valley Thunder Cats.

Twenty-four hours earlier, the Riders allowed two late third period goals to the Princeton Posse, including the tying marker with only nine seconds remaining.

“We were pretty disappointed in the outcome on Friday. We didn’t think we played our best, but still had a shot to win,” said head coach Barry Wolff.

“It’s tough, but it’s a learning curve for a lot of these younger guys and I thought we played a good game on Saturday.”

With the loss still fresh on their minds, Fernie got revenge against a Creston team that had won five straight against the Riders.

Brendan Burge continued his offensive assault, scoring three times and adding an assist on Braeden Monk’s second-period goal. The 20-year old leads the KIJHL with 15 points in only seven games this season. Monk’s goal and two assists has him second overall in scoring, with 13 points.

Creston was able to create some pressure in the first period, possessing the puck down low in the Riders zone, but limited the Thunder Cats to only a few quality scoring chances. Burge finally opened the scoring with just under four minutes remaining, to give the home side some confidence before the end of one.

The Thunder Cats tied the game early in the second, after goaltender Chris Solecki misplayed the puck and allowed Kevin Warwick to score into a wide open net.

Fernie responded less than a minute later, as Burge scored his second of the night to reclaim the lead. From that point, the Riders took control and Braeden Monk added an insurance marker with an innocent looking shot from the point.

The Ghostriders appeared to have learned from Friday’s third period meltdown, playing a full 60 minutes on Saturday night. They outshot the Thunder Cats 19 – 4 in the final frame, capped off with Burge’s third goal of the night on an early powerplay.

Creston was able to add an even strength goal, but that was as close as they would come as the Riders did a great job of clogging up the neutral zone, before countering in the other direction.

Ghostriders hockey continues this weekend, with the boys heading to Nelson on Friday for a visit with the Leafs, before hosting Creston once again on Saturday.

As always, puck drops at 7:30 p.m.