The Delta Ice Hawks are already in must-win territory to keep their gold medal hopes alive at the 2023 Cyclone Taylor Cup in Revelstoke.
Christian Mealey’s goal at the 3:12 mark of overtime lifted Kootenay International Junior Hockey League champion Kimberley Dynamiters a 2-1 win over the Ice Hawks on Thursday afternoon to open the four-team provincial junior “B” championships.
Delta will continue round-robin play on Friday (1 p.m.) against Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League champion Oceanside Generals before taking on the host Revelstoke Grizzlies on Saturday night.
Oceanside completed Thursday's schedule with a 5-1 win over Revelstoke.
The bronze and gold medal games will be played on Sunday.
Mealey spoiled a terrific first star performance by goaltender Merik Erickson with the Dynamiters enjoying a 44-24 advantage in the shot department. The significant margin reflected the Ice Hawks’ penalty trouble with Kimberley enjoying a 7-4 edge in power play opportunities.
Kimberley opened the scoring just 17 seconds into the contest on a goal by Tristan Weill. The score stayed that way until the late stages of the third period when blueliner Caelan Mander converted a feed from Carson Merriman to put Delta on even terms with a shorthanded goal.
The Ice Hawks would enjoy a power play soon after, but couldn’t take advantage, setting the stage for Mealey’s overtime heroics.
After winning the Pacific Junior Hockey League championship in seven games against Ridge Meadows, Delta is trying to win its first Cyclone Cup in 18 years following runner-up finishes in 2018 and 2022.
