Miller scores twice to rally Leafs past Braves 6-3
By The Nelson Daily Sports
For 12 minutes, the Nelson Leafs looked like they had returned of the doldrums of the past few months.
However, after a goalie change Nelson rallied to score six consecutive goals en route to a 6-3 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League victory over the visiting Spokane Braves Wednesday night at the NDCC Arena.
Nelson’s player-of-the-game Eamonn Miller scored twice, including the winner on the power play three minutes into the third period to spark the rally.
Trailing 3-0 after Troy Pichette had scored his second of the game less than two minutes into the second period, the Leafs coaching staff decided to replace starter Patrick Ostermann with Zakery Babin in an attempt to spark the team.
The decision appeared to have worked as goals 12 minutes apart by Andy Fitzpatrick, Miller and Jordan Davie, on the power play, pulled Nelson even at 3-3 before the period ended.
Miller, Matthew Sokol and Blair Andrews into an empty net completed the comeback in the third.
Kurtis Reading also scored for the Braves.
Nelson out shot the Braves 32-20 in the game making a winner out of Babin in the Leaf nets.
Patrick Kasper took the loss for the Braves.
Both teams played the game shorthanded, each dressing 16 skaters.
Nelson, improving to 16-20-0-0-1, climbs to within two points of third place Grand Forks in Murdoch Division standings.
Nelson travels to Fruitvale to visit the Beaver Valley Nitehawks Friday.
Next home game is Thursday, January 14 against the Border Bruins.
