Leafs ring in New Year with narrow win over Murdoch rival Nitehawks
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Nelson Leafs found a great way to ring in the New Year.
The Buds scored twice in the third period to edge Murdoch rival Beaver Valley Nitehawks 2-0 in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League action Sunday afternoon at the NDCC Arena.
“Ya, ya . . . for sure,” said Leaf forward Jack Karran when asked if this was a great way to ring in the New Year.
“It started off in BV (Friday) . . . too bad the power went out and stopped the game, but we were able to continue it on today and get the win.”
Nelson goalie Josh Williams and Hawks backstop Liam Coulter dueled it out between the pipes through 40 minutes before the Leafs were able to break the ice with the game’s first goal six minutes into the third period.
Ryan Piva and Sawyer Hunt worked the puck into the Beaver Valley zone for trailer Ethan Land, who picked the top corner on Coulter for the only goal Nelson would need.
That’s because All-World netminder Josh Williams was in the Leaf nets, standing tall against the Beaver Valley shooters.
“Josh is a great goalie . . . we all like having him in the goal,” said Karran of Williams, who just pitched his fifth shutout of the season.
“Josh is really calm in the goal and makes it look easy to play in front of . . .. He’s like having a third D-man back there as he played the puck so well.”
Karran secured the win for Nelson, scoring into the empty net when Coulter pulled for the extra attacker.
Williams, tied with Kimberley goalie Cody Campbell for the most wins in the KIJHL at 16, stopped all 16 shots to record the shutout as Nelson outshot the Hawks 20-16 in the tight, defensive battle.
The win keeps Nelson within striking distance of the red-hot Castlegar Rebels in the race for top spot in the Murdoch Division.
Nelson, 23-6-0-2, trail the Rebels by one point with Castlegar on the ice Sunday in Grand Forks. Castlegar enters the game winners of 13 straight games.
The Leafs and Hawks resume their rivalry Friday back in Fruitvale before Nelson hosts Kimberley Dynamiters Saturday at 7 p.m. in the NDCC Arena.
ICE CHIPS: No word on when remaining 46 minutes from Friday’s game between Beaver Valley and Nelson will be played. The contest was stopped due to a power outage with about six minutes remaining in the first period with Nelson leading 1-0. The snow storm is being blames for the outage. This was the second time in as many games the Leafs had been involved in a game delayed by power outage. . .. Nelson did not have newly acquired Dylan Williamson in the lineup for the weekend. The Calgary native had his transfer to the Leafs held up by the Junior A team holding his player's rights. Leaf coach Mario DiBella said the team has asked BC Hockey to step in to solve the holdup. DiBella is hopeful the transfer can be resolved by midweek. . .. DiBella said Nelson it still looking to fill out its roster with three cards available to sign any possible recruits by the January 10th Hockey Canada deadline. . .. The annual New Year’s Eve contest attracted an announced crowd of 550 spectators.
