Richter scores hat trick to help Nitros even KIJHL Final against Wranglers
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Not so fast 100 Mile House Wranglers.
The defending Kootenay International Junior Hockey League champs are not willing to let their title go without a fight.
Jason Richter scored a natural hat trick to power the Nitros to a 4-1 decision over the 100 Mile House Wranglers Sunday in KIJHL Finals action in Kimberley.
The victory evens the best-of-seven series a 1-1.
100 Mile House struck first in the series, edging Kimberley 2-1 Saturday.
The series now shifts to the Central BC Interior for Games three and four, Tuesday and Wednesday in 100 Mile House.
Despite being outshot 30-22 in the game, it was the host squad that struck for two first period goals by Richter to open a 2-0 lead.
The teams exchanged second period goals — Justin Bond cutting the lead to 2-1 with a power play goals 55 seconds into the frame before Richter scored this third of the game three minutes later.
In the third 100 Mile House pushed to get back into the game, out shooting the Dynamiters 12-4 in the period.
However, Allstar netminder Tyson Brouwer was solid between the pipes, stopping all 12 shots before Tanner Witt scored Kimberley’s fourth goal into an empty net.
Witt and Korbyn each finished the game with two points for Kimberley.
The win was the 13th of the playoff run for Brouwer against three losses.
Kimberley needs to win at least one game in 100 Mile House to guarantee the series returns to the Bavarian City for Game six (Saturday) and, if necessary, seven (Sunday).
