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Leafs outlast Rockets to post seventh straight win

The Nelson Daily Sports
By The Nelson Daily Sports
October 20th, 2019

Run-and-gun, tight-checking or simply winning a close hockey game, the Nelson Leafs are proving they can play any style to gain the two points.

Case in point, Saturday night at the NDCC Arena.

The Leafs shook off a mid-game rally by the visiting Golden Rockets to outlast the Eddie Mountain squad 7-5 in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League action.

The win, combined with a 5-3 victory over Murdoch rival Castlegar Rebels Friday, powered the Leafs to its seventh straight win and move the Green and White to within two points of the division leading Beaver Valley Nitehawks.

Saturday, Cole Wyatt, playing his second game of the season for Nelson, scored the winner midway through the third period to save the day for the home side.

Nelson jumped out to a 4-1 first period lead on goals by Reid Wilson, Shawn Campbell, Jaden Shumilak and Kaleb Comishin before the visitors outscored the Leafs 4-1 over the next 24 minutes to pull even in the third period.

Campbell and Comishin had the markers for Nelson. Colton Hutchinson, Jacob Dewar, Bryce Timmer, Alex Johnson and Jaden Callen replied for Golden.

Nelson goalie Austin Madge was kept busy in the Leaf nets, facing 42 shots as Golden held the advantage in possession. Ryan Baker and Jacob Bennett shared the netminding for the Rockets.

Nelson finished the game going 3-for-6 on the power play while Golden scored four goals in 13 powerplay attempts.

Friday, it was the Shawn Campbell Show as the former Rebel scored four times to lead Nelson past Castlegar.

Again, Nelson built up a 4-1 lead early in the second period only to see penalties allow the Rebels back into the game, as the visitors cut the margin to 4-3 after 40 minutes.

However, Campbell again came to the rescue, scoring his fourth of the game early in the third to preserve the victory.

Tyler Badger had the other goal for Nelson while Hunter Maximuk, Jaedon Little and Tyren Grimsdale replied for the Rebels. Nelson outshot the Rebels 39-21 in the contest.

Anderson Violette registered his sixth win of the season in goal for Nelson. Ethan Lawczynski took the loss for Castlegar.

BLUELINES: Leafs scoring leader Reid Wilson had a banner weekend, registering five points in two games while Shawn Campbell connected for six goals for Nelson — three coming on the power play. . . .Cole Wyatt returned to the Leafs after a stint in Junior A camp. . . . Leafs captain David Sanchez made his return to the lineup Friday against Castlegar following a long injury rehab but was not on the ice for Saturday’s matchup vs Golden. . . . . Nelson, improving to 8-2-0-0-3, faces Murdoch Division leading Beaver Valley Friday before hosting 100 Mile House Wranglers Saturday at 7 p.m. in the NDCC Arena.

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