Winless in three, Leafs host Murdoch-leading Beaver Valley Nitehawks
By The Nelson Daily Sports
When it rains, it generally pours.
Just ask the Nelson Leafs hockey club.
Currently riding a three-game losing streak and losing twice to a team the Leafs usually beat on a consistent basis— new-and-improved Grand Forks Border Bruins — the Green and White face the unenviable task of hosting the Murdoch Division leading Beaver Valley Nitehawks Friday at 7 p.m. in the NDCC Arena.
Add into the equation, the Leafs have yet to defeat the Hawks in two home meetings, losing by a combined score of 13-7.
“I’m confident in the boys that we’re going to figure this out and get back on track,” said Leaf forward Blair Andrews when asked about the recent string of games that has Nelson winning twice in the past seven games.
One frightening stat is the Leafs frustration with scoring at key times of the game.
Nelson, 12-10 on the season and tied for third in the division with Grand Forks, out shot the Border Bruins in both games, including a 42-27 advantage Tuesday in the Boundary City, but could not find that go-ahead goal.
Saturday was the same as Nelson dominated the Bruins in the third period, only to see team captain Rayce Miller hit the bottom of the post with the goalie out of position with the Leafs trailing 2-1.
“Maybe it’s confidence . . . I’m not really sure what it is right now,” Andrews lamented.
“I think if we get a couple of goals here and there in a game might change things around.”
“But overall we’re a team and we’re going to stick together to get through this,” Andrew adds.
Beaver Valley, 16-4-1-0-1, enters the contest winners of two straight after sweeping a Murdoch home-and-home series against rival Castlegar Rebels.
The sweep comes after Grand Forks pulled off a sweep of the Hawks the week before.
Friday’s contest is the lone game of the weekend for Nelson.
The Leafs return to action Wednesday when Castlegar visits the NDCC Arena for a 7 p.m. puck drop.
