Leafs honour Super Fan Ted Cartlidge before Saturday's game
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Nelson Leafs lost more than a hockey game recently when longtime supporter and security usher Ted Cartlidge passed away following a short illness.
Cartlidge, 83, worked the door at the north end of the NDCC Arena during Nelson Leafs games for many years.
Born in 1931 in Regina, Saskatchewan and raised in nearby Boharm, Cartlidge moved to Moose Jaw where he met and married his wife Evelyn in 1952.
He began his career with the CPR and moved west with his wife and three daughters to Nelson in 1958. His son was born in 1969.
Ted’s love of the arena and hockey made his volunteer work for the Leafs a joy in his life.
Wife Evelyn was also a major supporter of the Green and White, attending all home games of the Leafs.
The Leafs hockey club will honour Ted Cartlidge with a moment of silence prior to the start of Saturday’s Kootenay International Junior Hockey League game against Spokane Braves.
Cartlidge will be enshrined in the Nelson Leafs Super Fans along with Nina Arabia, Gerry Koehle, Jim Kienholz and Ryan Woikin.
Leafs look to get back to winning ways
The Nelson Leafs will be looking to snap a two game KIJHL losing streak when the clubs plays a pair of Murdoch Division rivals this weekend.
Nelson begins the two-game set Friday in Grand Forks against the Border Bruins.
The Leafs have yet to lose to the Boundary City squad, although all games have been very close.
Nelson returns home Saturday to host the Spokane Braves at the NDCC Arena.
Puck drop is 7 p.m.
Green and White top Murdoch Division
Despite dropping both games during a trip to the Eddie Mountain Division — 4-3 overtime loss to Golden and 5-2 decision to Kimberley — Nelson remains in top spot in the Murdoch Division, one point in front of second place Castlegar Rebels.
However, the Beaver Valley Nitehawks, winners of three straight games including a 9-4 romping past the Rebels, are closing the gap.
After the weekend, Nelson closes out the unofficial first half of the season Friday, December 19 against Grand Forks at home.
