Playoff Recap – Rockies Fall in Round Two

After a heavy battle with the Fernie Ghostriders in round one and the Kimberley Dynamiters in round two of the Teck Cup playoffs, the Columbia Valley Rockies have officially been eliminated from the 2022 postseason – losing the second round series 4-2 to the Dynamiters.

Round one saw the Rockies face the Fernie Ghostriders in a very tough series that ultimately ended with the Rockies winning 4-2. Highlights from this series include the Rockies’ 7-0 shutout victory backed by goaltender Grady Nicholas (33) and with league-leading goal-scorer Kayde Kinaschuk rounding out the series with four goals and four assists including the series-winning overtime goal against the Ghostriders in game six.

Round one games finished as follows:

Tuesday, February 22nd – Fernie 2 – Columbia Valley 5

Wednesday, February 23rd – Fernie 5 – Columbia Valley 2

Friday, February 25th –  Columbia Valley 3 – Fernie 4

Saturday, February 26th – Columbia Valley 6 – Fernie 2

Monday, February 28th – Fernie 0 – Columbia Valley 7

Tuesday, March 1st – Columbia Valley 3 – Fernie 2 (OT)

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Round two had the Rockies go up against a then undefeated Kimberley Dynamiters who had swept the Golden Rockets 4-0 in their first round matchup. Although the series ended sooner than the team had hoped, there were four one-goal games over the six game series and had highlights that included a gutsy 2-1 game 1 win in Kimberley, and back-and-fourth game 5 win with Nolan Palmer (5), Dylan Malarchuk (19), Vaughn Strutt (17), and Kayde Kinaschuk (29) all scoring to bring the series back home to the Eddie.

Round two games finished as follows:

Friday, March 4th – Columbia Valley 2 – Kimberley 1

Saturday, March 5th – Columbia Valley 2 – Kimberley 5

Monday, March 7th – Kimberley 4 – Columbia Valley 3

Tuesday, March 8th – Kimberley 5 – Columbia Valley 4

Thursday, March 10th – Columbia Valley 5 – Kimberley 4 (OT)

Friday, March 11th – Kimberley 6 – Columbia Valley 2

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Top 5 scorers of the playoffs for the Rockies were:

  1. Kayde Kinaschuk (29) – 10-7-17
  2. Reed Sparrow (7) – 6-9-15
  3. Colby Phillips (14) – 2-13-15
  4. Jonah Fournier (26) – 4-7-11
  5. Dylan Malarchuk (19) – 4-7-11

On behalf of the Columbia Valley Rockies organization, we want to take a moment to thank all fans, volunteers, and supporters for everything they have done over the 2021-22 season. Without each and every person and organization involved in Columbia Valley Rockies Junior B hockey, the overall success would not have been possible.

The Columbia Valley Rockies organization also wish each and every player moving on from their KIJHL career nothing but the best moving forward and thank them all of their time and effort put in as a “Rockie”.