The Columbia Valley Rockies are the first Eddie Mountain division team into the second round after sweeping the Fernie Ghostriders.
The Ghostriders had home ice advantage and finished above the Rockies in the regular season.
Head coach Tayler Sincennes says they knew they could beat them but he wasn’t expecting a sweep.
“I think everybody is a little shocked that we swept them,” he said.
“I knew going in and I told the guys that they were a very beatable team and to be confident in that.”
He says their powerplay was a big part of their success and it forced the Ghostriders into changing up their game.
“Our power play was clicking unbelievably. It would have been close to 50 per cent, which you don’t see very often,” Sincennes added.
“It forced them to stop taking penalties, which took the aggression out of their game a little bit.”
Sincennes says every player on the team was doing what they needed to do to win.
“There isn’t a whole lot you dislike in a four game sweep and it was truly a team effort top to bottom,” he added.
“All 24 guys contributed in some fashion.”
The Rockies will face either the Kimberley Dynamiters or Creston Valley Thunder Cats in the second round.
That series is tied 2-2 with Game 5 to go ahead on Friday.
Sincennes says it’s great to have the time off between series so they can get some extra rest.
“It’s paramount. We saw it last year when we went five with Kimberley,” he said.
“Anytime you can get through a series unscathed like we were able to and have that rest time for the guys who have some bumps and bruises.”
Forwards Ashton Sledz, Kobe Mason and defenceman Wyatt Wurtz are tied for the team lead in playoff points with five each.
Sledz leads the team in goals with four.
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