Must win situation for Nelson Leafs
By The Nelson Daily Sports
By Bruce Fuhr,
The Nelson Daily Sports
In years past the Nelson Leafs have faced must win games — but against Grand Forks, a team the coaching staff generally gives the back-up goalie the start and an opportunity for the players to improve the individual stats?
However, when your record is 5-8 and 10 points from the top of the division, every game, especially against a team lower in the standings, are, well you guessed it, a must-win game.
The struggling Nelson, losers of two straight and three of its last five games, face the Border Bruins Saturday in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League action at 7 p.m. in the NDCC Arena.
“There are huge games coming up,” said Leaf sniper Adrian Moyls when asked about the weekend tilts against Grand Forks and Sunday in Spokane. “These games are going to be crucial to our year.”
Nelson is a not-very-good 1-1 against the perennial Murdoch Division bottom feeders from Grand Forks.
The Leafs received a rude awakening to start the season when the Bruins scored six power play goals en route to a 6-2 victory. Nelson managed some revenge, thanks to a four-point night from Gavin Currie, to take the rematch 8-3.
One aspect the game the Leafs may want to improve if the club wants to make a run in the Murdoch Division is the power play. The club is a dismal 1-for-31 with the man advantage in October.
“Our power play has got to get going,” Moyls admitted, one of the many Leaf forwards with no power play goals. “Right now there’s no finish. It’s getting better but right now it’s not good enough.”
Grand Forks just might be what the doctor ordered to help the Leafs regain some confidence. The Boundary City squad had one win in its last ten games, and has allowed league-high 5.30 goals per game this season — perfect medicine for a team that scores 2.70 goals per game.
Sunday Nelson travels to the Lilac City to meet the red-hot Braves. Spokane had reeled off six straight wins before the Fernie Ghostriders cooled the Braves with a 7-4 victory.
LEAGUE NOTES: Spencer Brodt of the Rebels has a few more games to sit on his four-game suspension for a gross misconduct during an October 9 home contest against Beaver Valley. . . .Brodt’s teammate Adam Smith and Ryan Schibler of the Bruins received one-game suspensions for earning game misconducts in the last 10 minutes of the game October 16. . . .Taylor House and Stefan Jensen of Osoyoos lead the KIJHL in scoring, respectively. Ryan Aynsley of Castlegar is third.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
