KIJHL Teck Cup Conference Previews

The Quest for the Teck Cup is now into the third round. The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) Conference Finals begin tonight.

Below is a preview of each series.

Kootenay Conference

Grand Forks Border Bruins (1) vs Kimberley Dynamiters (1)

Season Series: Tied 1-1.

Series storyline: The regular season and playoff division winners face off in the Kootenay Conference Final. After winning the Teck Cup in 2023, the Dynamiters want it back, especially the five returning players such including Weill, who were on that championship team.

The Border Bruins are highly motivated to win their first ever championship. They have yet to lose in the playoffs, sweeping the Castlegar Rebels and Beaver Valley Nitehawks. The Border Bruins have used both goalies Jasper Tait (4-0, .865 save percentage/3.00 goals against average) and Eric Kahl (4-0, .926 SP/2.26 GAA).

Dynamiters goalie Josh Hager is 8-1 with a .896 SP and a 2.33 GAA.

Players to watch

Levi Astill is definitely one as he had an impressive 11 points (10 assists) in four games against the Beaver Valley Nitehawks. However, linemate Tyler Burke had five goals, including three winners, and nine points in the second round. Dynamiters rookie Danik Reeves is third in the league with 13 points (six goals) in 11 games. He had five points in the six games against the Columbia Valley Rockies. Honourable mention goes to last season’s KIJHL MVP – Weill. He is fourth in playoff points with 13 in 11 games.

Game one is this evening (March 28) in Grand Forks at Jack Goddard Memorial Arena. Game time is 7 p.m. PDT. Game two is March 29 in Grand Forks.

The series shifts to Kimberley for games three and four on Tuesday, April 1 and April 2. Both games begin at 7 p.m. MDT.

Okanagan Conference

Revelstoke Grizzlies (2) vs 100 Mile House Wranglers (1)

Season Series: Revelstoke won 2-0.

Storylines: The Grizzlies – the defending Teck and Mowat Cup champions – continue their hunt for another title and for now have handed the crease goalie Devin Degenstein, who has been excellent recently. He earned the KIJHL’s Top Goalie nod this week for the 3 Stars. The Camrose, Alta., native played 220 minutes in four games for the Grizzlies, earning three wins with a miniscule 0.82 goals against average and an incredible .978 save percentage against the Princeton Posse. The Wranglers’ great turnaround season continues and they look to win the organization’s first Teck Cup since the 2015-16 season, when they defeated the Dynamiters.

One question for them is can the Wranglers improve their special teams play to advance to the final? Their power-play is 4-for-51, while the penalty-kill is 12-for-56.

Players to Watch

Ethan Davey led the Wranglers with six points in six games against the Kamloops Storm. They will need him to continue making the offensive impact he has.

Colton McLeod has 11 points in 11 games for the Grizzlies and led them with four assists in the second round.

KIJHL

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