Grizzlies sweep past Ghostriders to capture KIJHL Teck Cup
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Revelstoke Grizzlies captured their fifth KIJHL Teck Cup championship with a 7-1 victory over the Fernie Ghostriders Tuesday night in front of 700 spectators at the Memorial Arena in the East Kootenay City.
Revelstoke, winning the KIJHL best-of-seven final 4-0, now advances to the Mowat Cup (formerly Cyclone Taylor Cup) beginning Thursday, April 16, in Kimberley.
The Grizzlies open up the four-team tournament against the Sannich Predators, winners of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League.
Host Kimberley Dynamiters meet Ridge Meadows Flames, Pacific Junior Hockey League Champs in Game two of the round robin tournament.
The top two teams advance to the Gold Medal game Sunday, April 21 while the other teams meet for the Bronze Medal.
Tuesday in Fernie, Daniel Wittenberg opened the scoring and captain Brady Schwab’s 2-0 goal proved to be the eventual winner.
The Ghostriders broke Jozef Kuchaslo’s shutout bid with seven seconds remaining when Kaden Slobodian’s shot bounced in off a Grizzlies player.
The Grizzlies led 3-0 after 1, and 5-0 after two periods.
Ethan Coventry, named the KIJHL Teck Cup playoffs Most Valuable Player, had two assists, one on the opening goal.
Coventry finished with 13 goals and 24 points in 19 games. Kuchaslo earned the first star with a 26-save performance, while Levi Hall made 34 saves on 38 shots for the Ghostriders after coming in for relief of Nick Kunyk, who allowed three goals on 14 shots.
Also scoring for the Grizzlies were Jaylen Forsyth, Colton McLeod, Luke Aston, Jett Patola and Jackson Romeril.
Grizzlies head coach Jiri Novak on Coventry: “I think Ethan took his game in the playoffs to a different level. He was one of the key players during our playoff run as we relied on him in every situation. His line with Luke Aston and Daniel Wittenberg was just outstanding.”
Novak says he really liked how they came to the game and set the tone in the first period.
“We didn’t underestimate any detail and followed our plan and we’re rewarded at the end,” says Novak.
“We were able to create offence and were tight defensively, which was key in this series. It looked like it was an easy series, but I would like to give credit to Fernie. They played hard every game and I would like to congratulate them for a great season.”
Novak says it feels “amazing and it’s something special” to win. He’s proud of the team.
“We had great leaders who stepped up in critical moments when we needed and younger players who were better every game,” says Novak.
“I want to say thank you to Ryan Parent, who gave me the opportunity to be a head coach and to our coaching staff of Ryan Petrovic, Daniel Arnost and Billy Cooper. As well, our physio staff who took care of our players during the season and our scouts and fans – the best in the KIJHL. We are really happy we can bring the Teck Cup back home to Revelstoke.”
—With files from the KIJHL
