'Parent Weekend' highlights Leafs three-game set against Murdoch opposition
By The Nelson Daily Sports
It’s a good thing the Nelson Leafs like playing at the NDCC Arena.
If not this Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season season would be off to a disastrous start as Nelson plays nine of its first 11 games in the Heritage City.
The home stretch continues as the Leafs play host to Murdoch rivals Castlegar, Friday, and Spokane, Saturday in the first two games of a three-game set.
However, these games are extra special for the Leafs as its Parent Weekend.
“(Parent Weekend) is a great tradition in junior hockey,” said Leaf coach Dave McLellan.
“It looks like (Leaf executive) has really thought this weekend out well and this should be a great opportunity for the parents to get here and see the kids, which I feel is just fantastic.”
Nelson enters the weekend with a slim two-point lead over Beaver Valley Nitehawks and three ahead of Saturday’s opponent, Spokane Braves.
Sunday, Nelson completes the home-and-home series against Castlegar with an afternoon game in the Sunflower City.
Rayce Miller continues to lead the Leafs in scoring with 10 points, one in front of surprising offensive defenceman Patrick Croome. Miller also leads the Leafs in goals scored with five.
The Western Hockey League Prince Albert Raiders have been kind to the Leafs as the Tier I Junior A club has sent two prospects to sharpen their skills with in the KIJHL.
Cody Paivarinta was the first to get send to Nelson.
Earlier this weekend, GM Bruno Campese re-assigned 16-year-old left winger Dylan Williamson to Nelson.
Williamson is in Nelson but paperwork has slowed the process for the Calgary native to play with the Leafs.
Allowing four goals last weekend moved Nelson netminder Brett Soles up the goalie leader board and into third spot.
Soles, who came to Nelson from the Saskatchewan Junior League, has a .921 save percentage and a 2.11 goals against average.
Alex Kong of Summerland leads the goalies with a 1.71 GAA.
After Saturday’s tilt, Nelson plays five straight games, including Sunday in Castlegar, on the road.
Saturday at the Leafs game is set aside for Bra’s in the Barn night.
