Leafs snap two-game slide by doubling Spokane 4-2 Saturday night in Lilac City
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Nik Newman registered his first multiple point game of the season to help the Nelson Leafs snap a two-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory over the Spokane Braves in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League action Saturday night in the Lilac City.
The two teams meet Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the NDCC Arena in the second half of the home-and-home Murdoch Division series.
Newman, from Saugus, California, scored once and added two assists as the Leafs exploded for three goals in the first period past Spokane netminder Branden Amatto — including two markers in an 18-second span.
The final 33 seconds was a wild time the teams combined for three goals, two by the Leafs James Sorriey and Newman and the final tally by Dylan Solberg of the Braves with six seconds remaining in the frame.
Nelson then rode the hot goaltending of rookie Patrick Defoe who won his first game in the Green and White by stopping 32 of 24 shots.
Spokane made a push in the third out shooting the Leafs 12-6.
Leaf defenceman Riley Henderson scored his first goal of the season on the power play early in the third to give Nelson a two-goal cushion.
Max Mois of Prince George opened the scoring for Nelson before Thomas McNevin replied for the Braves.
Nelson, 2-1-0-1, pulls to within a point of Beaver Valley Nitehawks in Murdoch standings.
Castlegar, thumping Grand Forks 9-2 Friday thanks to a five-point outburst from Anthony Delong, is third one point behind Nelson while Spokane, 1-4-0-0, is fourth. Grand Forks is winless in three starts.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
