Leafs looks to snap winless streak Thursday against Rebels
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Nelson Leafs look to snap out of a five-game losing streak Thursday night in the Sunflower City when the Green and White plays the Castlegar Rebels in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League action.
The skid comes as the Leafs struggle with injuries as well as a host of suspensions following an October 26 line brawl against the Creston Valley Thunder Cats.
“You never want to get into a situation like this, but I think it’s good that everything is happening at this stage of the season,” said Leaf captain Sawyer Hunt.
“Because it gives some of the guys who are working their way into the lineup a chance to show the coaches what they can do.”
“We’ve got a good hockey team here,” Hunt added, “and it’s still early enough in the season where we can turn this around.”
Nelson enters the weekend in third spot in the Murdoch Division, two points behind Grand Forks Border Bruins but only two in front of the Rebels.
Beaver Valley leads the division but eight points over Grand Forks after putting together a 10-game winning streak.
“We’ve got a real good team here,” said Hunt, second in Leafs scoring to teammate Dale Howell.
“I just think we need everybody to just play their roles, and if we do that, you’re going to start to see a very improved team.”
Castlegar has won three straight games to climb back into the running in the Murdoch Division.
The Rebels have turned the season around scoring 21 times in the past three games. Leading the onslaught is forward Logan Styler who rang up eight points during the stretch to move into second overall in KIJHL scoring with 31 points.
Sunday, Nelson concludes the weekend with an afternoon tilt in Spokane against the Braves.
ICE CHIPS: Leaf center Ryan Piva saw his first action at the Junior A level when the Trail native suited up for West Kelowna Warriors Sunday in BC Hockey League action against Prince George. . . . The Leafs traded forward Kolten Nelson to Comox of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League for future considerations. Nelson joins teammate Cleary Ambrose, who was moved to the Island squad earlier this season.
