Hawks edge Leafs 2-1 to close in on Murdoch Division leaders
By The Nelson Daily Sports
It appears there’s not a lot to choose from between the Nelson Leafs and the Beaver Valley Nitehawks.
The two Murdoch rivals played another tight contest Friday night in the Heritage City, this time Beaver Valley coming out on top with a 2-1 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League victory at the NDCC Arena.
The two clubs opened the season with the Leafs escaping with a 1-0 win — both games were played in Nelson.
The victory moves the Hawks to within two points of the Murdoch Division-leading Leafs, which saw an end to a four-game winning streak.
Nelson, dropping its second game of the season, is currently tied for top spot with the Grand Fork Border Bruins.
The Bruins scored three times in the third period to outlast Golden 7-4.
Beaver Valley opened the scoring in the first period when Bradley Ross beat Quinn Yeager in the Nelson nets 14 minutes into the frame.
The visitors doubled the lead in the second when Aidan Browell scored less than two minutes into the period.
Beaver Valley maintained its lead until Logan Wullum gave Nelson some life with a shorthanded tally early in the third period.
Nelson pressed for the equalizer, out shooting Beaver Valley 8-6 in the period but was unable to score on 6’3” netminder Owen Sikkes in the Hawks net.
Beaver Valley out shot Nelson 24-20 in the contest.
Both teams return to the ice Saturday.
Beaver Valley hosts Golden Rockets while Spokane Braves pay a visit to the NDCC Arena to face the Leafs.
In other Murdoch action, Fernie travels to Castlegar and Kimberley is in Grand Forks to face the Bruins.
