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How local KIJHL clubs are feeling heading to playoffs
KIJHL Notebook
By Emanuel Sequeira
The 2021-22 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) regular season wraps up on Feb. 19 and there are still two playoff spots mathematically available.
This week’s KIJHL Notebook connects with the leaders of each team to talk about how their respective teams are playing as the season comes to a close.
Eddie Mountain Division
Kayde Kinaschuk of the Columbia Valley Rockies said he feels they have been playing really well lately as they have nine wins in their last 10 games, and are on a seven-game winning streak.
“We are playing as a team and everyone has bought in,” said Kinaschuk.
All of the Rockies are excited with the playoffs nearing.
“They are huge games and I think we are just trying to build up and play better every game until the playoffs,” he said.
Kimberley Dynamiters captain Ryan Bennett said they have been making a good push for first in their division, as they chase the Rockies.
“Going into these last two weekends of the regular season, I think it’s going to be good for us,” said Bennett, as they are 8-2-0 in their last 10 games.
Inside the dressing room, Bennett said the feeling is “awesome, everyone is so excited to get into it.”
“We’ve been trying to explain to the guys how different the playoffs are,” said Bennett. “How exciting it can be, the whole way through. I think everyone is really looking forward to it. We are just trying to finish the regular season here off on top.”
Fernie Ghostriders captain Kyle Klein said they have gone through some ups and downs, but feels the players are coming together. The Ghostriders are 4-5-0-1 in their last 10 games.
“It’s a great group and we have been fixing things in the D-zone and things are good,” said Klein. “The dressing room is great. The guys are close.”
Jordan Lario captain of the Golden Rockets said they have really started to get into the groove to get ready for playoffs.
“We’ve been kind of gifted early with a chance to make the playoffs and even though we have been the bottom team for a little while now, I feel like we are really coming together as a team,” said Lario, as the Rockets are 3-6-1 in their last 10 games. “We are ready to make that push in the playoffs.”
In the dressing room, the Rockets are really feeling like a team.
“I feel like being such a younger team, it’s been a little build up and getting the younger guys used to the KIJHL.”
Corbin Cockerill captain of the Creston Valley Thunder Cats said they feel really good about their play of late (five wins in 10 games), adding that most of the games they are playing they are outshooting teams, whether they are winning or losing.
“Our systems have started clicking as we get towards the end of the year,” he said. “Everybody trusts each other a lot more than we did systems-wise earlier in the year. We really like where we’re at right now. How we are playing and carry that into the playoffs.”
They are excited in the dressing room and as one of two 20-year-olds on the team, Cockerill said he is the only guy who has played in the playoffs.
“I try to get everybody as excited as possible because the playoffs are a whole different beast than the regular season,” said Cockerill.
Note: The Thunder Cats have been moved to the Neil Murdoch Division for the purpose of the playoffs.
Read about the rest of the teams in the KIJHL.
KIJHL photo
