KIJHL postpones season through to Dec 7
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League is doing an about-face on its decision to continue its regular season.
Following province-wide restrictions brought in by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry Thursday, the league decided to continue its season Friday with a host of games — including a 10-1 victory by the Nelson Leafs over the Grand Forks Border Bruins and Castlegar Rebels doubling up on Osoyoos Coyotes 6-3 in the South Okanagan City.
However, Friday night, the KIJHL announced on Twitter that the league was postponing its season through to December 7.
“Based on the revised Return to Sport guidelines published by Viasport this evening, the KIJHL will pause from regular season competition following tonight’s (Friday) games through Dec. 7,” the KIJHL Twitter feed said.
“The league will make a further announcement on play resuming once more information is available.”
Nelson rolled over the Bruins powered by Matthew Byrne’s hat-trick performance and rookie Rhett Hamilton scoring his first two goals of junior hockey.
Reid Vulcano, Simon Nemethy, Suren Rivard, also with his first junior career goal, Hunter Floris and Brandon Costa added singles.
Nelson outshot the Bruins 54-23 in the game.
Kayden Bugiera score the lone marker for Grand Forks to ruin the shutout bid by Nelson goalie David Guererro.
In Osoyoos, Jordan Adams scored three times to lead the Rebels past the Coyotes.
Justin Duguay, Zach Ashworth and Jesse Courville-Lynch also scored for Castlegar.
Levi Carter scored twice and Crae Dawson added a single for Osoyoos.
The BC Hockey League postponed its season earlier this month due to restrictions placed by the Provincial Health Office regarding sporting events in Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health Regions.
The Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League also postponed play due to the recent PHO restrictions.
