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Leafs make it seven straight wins, blast Sicamous Eagles 6-1

Bruce Fuhr
By Bruce Fuhr
November 5th, 2012

The formula is simple — press the opposition until mistakes turn into goals.

Leaf fans got to see the strategy in action as the home side exploded for 18 goals in two games en route to recording a season high seven-game win streak Sunday afternoon at the NDCC Arena.

After dropping a dozen on the Beaver Valley Nitehawks Friday, the Leafs kept up the goal-scoring assault Sunday against Sicamous, blasting the Eagles 6-1.

“The boys are focused and concentrating in practice and in games and are being rewarded for their hard work,” said Leaf coach Frank Maida.

The Leafs took a 2-1 advantage into the first-period intermission on goals by rookies Matt McDonald and Colton McCarthy.

Kelyn Opel got the Eagles on the board, spoiling the weekend shutout streak of Leaf netminder Cody Boeckman.

Boeckman sat in a lawn chair for most of Friday’s game against the defending KIJHL champs, facing only nine shots in the game.

In the second Nelson increased its lead to 4-1 on goals by captain Colton Schell, his first of two on the night, and Jacob Boyczuk.

MacDonald and Schell rounded out the scoring for the Leafs in the third.

“This is a very disciplined, good group of boys that are eager and wanting to be on a winning team,” Maida explained when asked about the recent success.

“They work hard every night and their work ethic has been real good.”

Maida said conditioning has played a big part in the recent success, as constant pressure by the Leafs appears to be wearing down the opponents.

“We’ve been really working hard off the ice on our conditioning so we’re able to play as that (high-octane) pace for 60 minutes,” Maida said.

“I think the boys really enjoy the quick fast pace we’re presenting . . . showing teams we want to play at this pace and it’s been successful for us.”

The win keeps Nelson in sole possession of top spot in the Murdoch Division, two points ahead of Castlegar.

The Rebels, playing one fewer game than Nelson, kept pace by posting a pair to divisional wins over Grand Forks (8-0) and Spokane (5-4).

ICE CHIPS: Nelson travels to Grand Forks to face the Bruins Friday before returning to host the Golden Rockets Saturday at the NDCC Arena. . . . The Leafs welcomed Nelson native Dallon Stoddart back to the fold after the Minor Hockey grad returned from the Winkler Flyers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. . . .If the Grand Forks Border Bruins didn’t have back luck, the team would have no luck at all. Leading 4-1 after two periods, the Bruins watched as the Spokane Braves rallied back to beat the Bruins 5-4 in overtime Sunday in the Lilac City. Brycen Fisher scored at 28 seconds of the second overtime to lift the Braves to the win after the home side scored twice in the final two-plus minutes to force the extra time.

 

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