Leafs shutout Braves 4-0 to run win streak to five games
By The Nelson Daily Sports
During the recent winning streak, the Nelson Leafs have waited teams out before finding some late offence to secure the two points.
Tuesday night at the NDCC Arena, the Leafs left no doubt which team would be smiling at the end of the game.
First period goals by Ethan Land, Michael Bladon and Dash Thompson staked the Leafs to the early lead en route to a 4-0 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League victory over the Spokane Braves.
The win, the fifth in a row for the red-hot Leafs, lifts Nelson into sole possession of first place in the Murdoch Division.
Nelson, with shutouts in four of the past five games, now leads the Castlegar Rebels by two points in the race for top spot in the division.
Tuesday, the Leafs jumped all over the visiting Braves, which had won two straight entering the game.
Land scored less than five minutes into the contest in a period Nelson dominated, outshooting Spokane 14-6.
Nelson, 26-6-1-0-2, continued the assault on Spokane goalie Ben Waslaski, firing another 14 shots at the Lilac City native.
Ryan Piva scored with the middle frame ending to conclude the Leafs scoring.
Nelson finished the game outshooting the Braves 41-20 with Mr. Shutout Josh Williams pitching another goose egg for the Leafs — the seventh of the season for the KIJHL’s leading netminder.
Nelson is idle until returning to action Friday, January 19 when the Green and White hosts Beaver Valley at 7 p.m. in the NDCC Arena.
BLUELINES: Game star for Nelson was Dash Thompson while Tyson Feist earned the honour for Spokane. . . .Three Leaf players, forwards Ryan Cooper and Ryan Piva and defenceman Dash Thompson, are in Kelowna this weekend for the Conference Prospects Game. Leaf coach Mario DiBella is also in Kelowna as coach of the Kootenay Conference team. The game showcases the best of the young talent in the KI for Junior and College scouts. After running the table before Christmas, Castlegar Rebels have lost three straight games, including a 3-1 decision Tuesday against Beaver Valley.
