Sanchez sparks Leafs to 7-3 drubbing of Rebels
By The Nelson Daily Sports
David Sanchez had three points to spark the Nelson Leafs to a 7-3 shellacking of the Castlegar Rebels in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League action Friday night in the Sunflower City.
The Murdoch Division battle was the first of five consecutive road games for the Leafs.
Sanchez, scoring the opening goal for Nelson in the first period, led the Leafs with a goal and two assists as the visitors opened a 3-0 lead after 40 minutes.
After Castlegar’s Tanner Costa cut into the margin with a goal two minutes into the third period, Nelson struck for three goals in a span of five minutes to increase the advantage to 6-1.
Jackson Zimmerman, Ryan Cooper and former Rebel Justin Podgorenko scored during the three-goal onslaught by the Leafs.
Everett Hicks and Shawn Campbell scored for the Rebels to make the score 6-3.
But Logan Wullum ended any hopes of a Rebel comeback with a goal late in the frame.
Ethan Beattie and Ryan Piva on the power play in the second, also scored for the Leafs.
Sawyer Hunt and defencemen Dash Thompson and Michael Bladon each registered two points for the Leafs.
Castlegar outshot the Leafs 47-37 in the game, including a 17-8 margin in the third.
However, Leaf netminder Josh Williams continued his strong play between the pipes for Nelson to register the victory.
Former Nelson Minor Hockey product Curt Doyle took the loss in goal for Castlegar.
The loss snapped a two-game winning streak by the Rebels.
The victory moves the 8-2-1 Leafs into a first-place tie with the Grand Forks for top spot in the Murdoch Division.
The Bruins were pounded 7-2 by Kimberley Dynamiters Friday in the Bavarian City.
Nelson travels to Spokane Sunday to conclude the weekend with a game against the Braves.
Castlegar meets the Braves Saturday in the Lilac City.
