In terms of offensive production, last night's Game 2 was the polar opposite of the series opener. The Rebels scored 4 times in a stretch of 1:48 in the first period, and got hat-tricks from both Patrick Christie and Tyler Robinson en route to an 8-4 doubling of the Spokane Braves and a 2-0 series lead. Curtis Pereverzoff and Tyler Jones also scored for the Rebels, who chased Spokane's starting goaltender Cash Ulrich with 4 goals on 9 shots in the first period. 16 year-old McKinlee Baum assumed mop-up duty for the Braves, who had goals from Jake Peterson, Joel Stewart, Dylan Tappe and Brycen Fischer.
It was another chippy affair, the teams combining for 15 power-plays including a 5-minute advantage for Castlegar in the third period as Giuseppe Dippolito was ejected following a dangerous hit from behind. The Rebels went 3/8 on the PP after going 0-for-6 on Friday, while the Braves cashed in twice on seven opportunities: both goals were on a lengthy 5-on-3 in the third.
Though he made 39 saves, Baum did allow the eventual game-winner and is credited with the loss. Andrew Walton stopped 29 of 33 Braves shots for his second win of the series. 3 of Spokane's goals were deflections off point shots.
The series shifts to Spokane for Games 3 and 4, which will go Monday and Tuesday night (both 8:00 PM starts, Eagles Ice-A-Rena). If there is a Game 5, it will be in Castlegar on Thursday.
For me, Game 2 was a real bounce-back effort for Patrick Christie. It appeared to me that he struggled a bit in Game 1, but turned it all around after his first goal last night, when he cut around a Braves defenceman and tucked a back-hander through the legs of Ulrich to open the scoring. I spoke with Christie after the game, you can hear that interview here.
Another noisy crowd as well last night. The gamesheet puts the attendance at 450, and it definitely seemed to get the Rebels going as all four lines skated well. Nice to see the fourth line of Pereverzoff, Jordan Swetlikoff and Stuart Walton get rewarded with more ice-time and a goal as well.
Finally, thanks again to the father-and-son team of Vince and Chauncey Hughes for supplying the necessities for this weekend's webcasts. It was a pleasure to chat with both of them and their efforts to bring equipment up from Spokane and run the cast with me was not only a great experience, it definitely has gotten the ball rolling as far as how the Rebels can put their own system together for the 2010-11 season. If Game 5 takes place Thursday, we should be able to provide pictures for you again on the KIJHL website.
Looking out of town Saturday, a bit of a surprise in Nelson as the Leafs lose Game 2 to the Nitehawks 3-1. Former Trail Smoke Eater Paul Barclay made 29 saves for the win in a series that could easily have been 2-0 Beaver Valley heading back to Fruitvale.
Fernie has yet to allow a goal in two playoff games, they shut out Golden 6-0. Creston Valley has a 2-0 lead in their series after a 2-1 OT win over Kimberley.
In the Okanagan, Kamloops evened up their series with Chase after a 7-4 win at Art Holding Arena, and the Penticton Lakers are on the brink of elimination after losing 6-3 in Sicamous. Again, these two series are best-of-five while every other set is a best-of-seven.
One BCHL note, the Trail Smoke Eaters now know who they'll face in the first round of the playoffs: the Westside Warriors. Get more info here courtesy of Shawn Mullin. It could shape up to be a great series, especially considering the Smokies took 5 of 6 points from Westside in 3 games last week.
That's all for now, I'll be back Monday to set up Game 3.
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