Depleted Leafs back at in again against rival Rebels
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Already playing with a reduced roster, the Nelson Leafs begin the stretch run in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season — nine games in 17 days — starting Friday at home against Castlegar Rebels.
The last time the teams met a week ago, the teams combined for more than 100 minutes in penalties following a second-period donnybrook that saw a handful of player ejected for fighting.
And it was the Leafs that came out on the short end of the stick in regarding to discipline as team captain Rayce Miller and Matthew Sokol were suspended for two and five games, respectively.
Nelson is currently appealing Sokol’s sentence.
Levi Hulston, the original combatant in the melee, was suspended for five games by the KIJHL.
However, that suspension has been removed from the KIJHL website.
Nelson is already without forward Nicholas Ketola, serving the third-game of a three-game suspension for receiving a match penalty for match penalty for hit-to-the-head during agame January 16 against Kimberley.
To help fill the roster for the weekend, Nelson is calling up a few players from the Kootenay Ice of the BC Major Midget League.
Nelson, entering the contest Friday with four straight losses, plays in Spokane Saturday and Beaver Valley Tuesday before a home-and-home weekend against the Rebels, February 12-13.
The Leafs, 17-240-0-2, trail Grand Forks Border Bruins by eight points in the race for third in the Murdoch Division.
Nelson and District Credit Union Puck Toss Finals
Nelson & District Credit Union (NDCU) is hosting Member Appreciation night during the Friday against Castlegar Rebels.
Credit Union members are invited to present their NDCU MEMBER CARD debit card for a discounted admission for the game.
NDCU members of all ages will be able to enter the draw for some great prizes during the third period, and the lucky season winners of the NDCU Puck-4-Bucks puck toss will toss one puck for a chance to win one $1000 NDCU term deposit.
