Leafs outlast Nitehawks 3-2 to open exhibition season
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Preseason generally means nothing to coaches and players but it’s always nice to come out on the winning side of any contest.
Kyle Chernenkoff’s third period goal snapped a 2-2 tie lifting the Nelson Leafs to a 3-2 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League exhibition victory over the Beaver Valley Nitehawks Thursday night at the NDCC Arena.
Brendan Smith and Austin Lindsay had scored first period goals to give Nelson a 2-0 lead into the third period.
Nathan Spark started the game in goal for Nelson before being replaced by Joe Barton.
Beaver Valley outshot the Leafs 27-22 in the game.
The two teams hook up again for the second game of the two-game exhibition set Saturday night in Fruitvale.
Nelson completes the preseason with a two-game series against Castlegar beginning Tuesday in the Heritage City.
Game two is Wednesday in Castlegar.
Nelson opens the KIJHL regular season Friday, September 11 against Kelowna Chiefs.
The game is the first of two on opening weekend.
Saturday, September 12, Fernie Ghostriders invade the NDCC Arena.
