The Kimberley Dynamiters opened their series against the Beaver Valley Nitehawks with back-to-back wins, earning 4-1 and 4-3 victories over the weekend to take a 2-0 lead.
In Game 1, the Dynamiters responded well after allowing the opening goal six minutes into the contest. They tied the game later in the first period before Brayden Schwartz (5) scored the winner shorthanded at 3:16 of the second. Kimberley added insurance in the third period when Toren Fron (2) scored on the power play.
Goaltender Adam Kisilevich made 33 saves to backstop the win.
Dynamiters head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said his team wasn’t at its best despite the result.
“Our penalty-kill (6-for-6) was great and we were able to steal one,” he said.
Kimberley carried that momentum into Game 2, edging Beaver Valley 4-3 in a tighter contest. Carter Coutu led the way with two goals (4) and three points, while also setting up Nate Tillmanns’ winner with four minutes remaining in the third period.
Kisilevich turned aside 25 of 28 shots to earn his second straight victory, as the Dynamiters held off a late push from the Nitehawks.
“We battled hard,” said Stuart. “Carter was a force out there tonight. He was the best player on the ice.”
With contributions from their special teams, top scorers and steady goaltending, the Dynamiters will look to maintain control of the series as it shifts to the next games.
Game three heads to Kimberley with puck drop at 7 p.m.
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