Elevated Depth, No Easy Nights: Head Coach Chad Scharff previews Ghostriders’ upcoming home slate

The Fernie Ghostriders open a weekend homestand tonight (Nov. 6), against the Osoyoos Coyotes.

Head coach Chad Scharff spoke with Pattison Media this week about the weekend’s games and the team’s performance through its first 15 games.

The Ghostriders sit second in the Kootenay Division behind the Kimberley Dynamiters, with 10 wins, four losses and one shootout loss.

“We’re kind of right where we want to be in terms of, you know, a league perspective in the first 15 games,” said Chad Scharff, Head Coach, Fernie Ghostriders.

“I think we’re an older team that has a lot of experience, and guys have learned from the past years.

“And I think as we keep moving forward, we just want to get better.”

This weekend will be extra special as it’s family weekend with players’ families in attendance for the homestand.

Scharff said the Coyotes are a less familiar opponent, but there are no easy games following the league’s transition from the KIJHL to the British Columbia Hockey Conference (BCHC).

“From what I’ve seen and what I’ve watched, they’re a good team that can skate well. Younger group, which I know the new ownerships come in there and have done a lot of changes in a positive way for that group,” he adds.

“So, they’ll be energetic, and I know they’re a competitive group. So, like every team in this league, you’ve got to be ready to go. I think that’s the one thing with our league changing from the KI to the BCHC is the league’s gotten better.

“There’s no given night where it’s an easy night. So, I expect them to come in and play hard, and we’ll have to be at our best.”

Fernie hosts the Princeton Posse on Saturday (Nov. 7). Despite Princeton’s .500 record, Scharff said the team remains a threat, pointing to its recent history as a high-scoring, championship-calibre squad.

“They’ve got some high-offence players that can put the puck in the net,” he said.

“Again, you’ve got to be ready. My mentality is always one at a time. A lot of coaches will probably tell you that, but let’s worry about the Coyotes first and get through that, and then we’ll flip the page to Princeton. But I expect them to be ready to play too.”

Scharff said Fernie’s loyal fans and compact arena give the Ghostriders an advantage on home ice.

“I think our fans are loyal…I got here three years ago, and we were a fairly good team my first year. The second year we got off to a bad start, and the fans weren’t afraid to let me know what they thought.

“Fortunately, we were able to turn it around, and we’re off to a good start this year. But our fans have been great. They always come out and support.

“So, there’s polls around the league, like the toughest buildings to play in. Fernie is always at the top of that list with, you know, teams that don’t want to come in and play against the Ghostriders.

“You know, obviously, our team being good, but our fans. And the building. The building’s great too.

“It’s unique. It’s smaller. It’s, you know, the fans are right on top of you, and our fans don’t hold back. So, I love that.”

Ghostriders tickets are available at fernieghostriders.com/tickets/

Upcoming Schedule

Friday, Nov. 6: Osoyoos Coyotes at Fernie Memorial Arena, puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 7: Princeton Posse at Fernie Memorial Arena, puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m.