OT winner by Leafs Piva powers Nelson past Rockies
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Ryan Piva scored at the 3:08 mark of the first overtime period to spark the Nelson Leafs to a 5-4 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League victory over the Columbia Valley Rockies Saturday night in Invermere.
The win allows Nelson to conclude the five-game road trip with an impressive 4-0-0-1 record.
The lone setback came Thursday when Kimberley defeated the Leafs 2-1 in overtime.
Nelson appeared to be in control of the contest after Ethan Land scored a power play goal in the third period to give the visitors a 4-2 advantage.
However, Ryan Skytt and Colby Sherlock scored within a four-minute span to send the game into overtime.
The teams played to a 1-1 first period score before Nelson struck twice in the second period on goals by Jaiden LaPorte, on the power play, and Ryan Cooper, his second of the game.
Cooper was seeing his first action in three games after sitting out the past two road tilts due to a suspension picked up last Sunday in Spokane for a match penalty.
Dace Prymak and a power play goal by Mike Dyck, completed the scoring for the Rockies.
Nelson outshot the Rockies 48-36 with Quinn Yeager registered the win in goal for the Leafs.
Nelson leads the red-hot Beaver Valley Nitehawks, winners of seven straight games, in Murdoch Division standings by three points. Nelson returns home to host Golden Rockets Friday at 7 p.m. in the NDCC Arena.
Cooper kick starts Leafs offence
Ryan Cooper led the Leafs in scoring Saturday, finishing the game with three points to move into a tie with Sawyer Hunt for the lead in Nelson scoring.
In 12 games this season for the Leafs, the St. Albert, AB native has points in eight games.
Cooper, with 16 points, leads Nelson in goals with nine.
David Sanchez is third overall in Leafs scoring with 15 points.
Jaiden LaPorte also had two points for Nelson against Columbia Valley.
Watch out for the defending KIJHL Champs
The Beaver Valley Nitehawks are the hottest team in the KIJHL.
After starting the season with a 3-3-0-0-1 mark, the Hawks have reeled off seven straight wins.
During the streak, Beaver Valley has outscored the opposition by a 27-7 mark.
The next best team is the Kimberley Dynamiters with five consecutive wins. The Nitros hold a commanding 11-point advantage over Creston in Eddie Mountain standings.
Kimberley is tied with Nelson for the best goal differential, each team a plus-34.
Rebels rock Border Bruins
Castlegar got back into the win column in a big way Saturday, pounding the hometown Border Bruins 6-0 at the Jack Goddard Arena in Grand Forks.
Everett Hicks led the Rebels with two goals and an assist as the visitors struck for six goals, including four in the third frame, during the final 40 minutes
Shawn Campbell, Brandon Costa, Vince Bitonti and Tanner Costa also scored for Castlegar.
Curt Doyle stopped 28 shots to register the shutout.
