Leafs face Ghostriders, Rebels in two-game weekend set
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Nelson Leafs take a thin lead into weekend play as the Murdoch leaders travel face Fernie Ghostriders and rival Castlegar Rebels in a pair of Kootenay International Junior Hockey League games.
The Leafs travel to Sparwood Friday to face the East Kootenay Riders in Kootenay Conference action.
Nelson has won both games over the Ghostriders — 12-3 at home and 6-3 on the road.
The Leafs enter the contest after snapping a three-game losing streak Saturday that saw their lead in the Murdoch Division slashed from 10 points to two.
Nelson outlasted Grand Forks Border Bruins 4-1 at home.
During the slide, Nelson was outscored 18-5 by Murdoch rivals Castlegar and Beaver Valley.
Saturday, Nelson hosts Castlegar Rebels at 7 p.m. in the NDCC Arena/
Nelson enters the contest missing a few players due to suspension.
Defenceman Zach Morey is currently serving a three-game suspension for after receiving a match penalty while another rearguard Michael LeNoury is also suspended for two games for illegal head contact.
Morey is back for Saturday against Castlegar while LeNoury should play Tuesday when the Leafs hosts Grand Forks.
Leading goal scorer scorless in six
Nelson is hoping to get the offence of the team’s leading goal scorer, Ryan Cooper, back in the fold for the weekend.
The rookie from St. Albert, AB, has been in a funk having not scored a goal in six games after totalling 13 before.
Jackson Zimmermann and Ryan Piva are next in Leafs goal scoring, each with 10.
Team captain Sawyer Hunt leads the team in points with 29, including 23 assists.
Kimberley donation saga continues
The $7.5 million donation saga continues for the Kimberley Dynamiters.
The person responsible for the donation, Michael Gould, has been charged with forgery and fraud after a restaurant owner, who is not involved in the Nitros donation, complained to police about an unpaid bill.
The charge results from Gould bouncing cheques after the owner of the Northwest Grill in Cranbrook, Jolene Salanski said she catered a banquet for 50 people in early November.
Police said Crown counsel has approved charges of forgery and fraud against Gould, who was scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
The Kimberley board of directors issued a statement November 13 saying the team has not received any money.
