Leaf schedule heats up as Castlegar visits NDCC Friday
By The Nelson Daily Sports
By Bruce Fuhr
The Nelson Daily Sports
For those keeping score at home, Nelson does have a junior B hockey team.
It seems like an eternity since the Green and White suited up to play in front of the home fans at the NDCC Arena — November 26 was the last time Nelson played at home.
Friday, the Leafs return home to face the Castlegar Rebels in the first of a December schedule of games that could determine if Nelson is a contender or pretender in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League Murdoch Division.
“We’re going to try to take it one game at a time, but (head coach) Frank (Maida) is putting a lot of importance on these next games coming up,” Leaf forward Nick Newman told The Nelson Daily during a rare weekend off from KIJHL action.
“We were going to have the weekend off but since these big games are coming up he’s making us stay in shape by running and biking and working out.”
The heavy part of the schedule sees Nelson play division rivals Castlegar — Friday in Nelson and Saturday, December 17 back in the Sunflower City — Beaver Valley and Spokane twice.
“We really play better at home than we do on the road,” confessed the California Newman. “Our team is fast so the big ice (at the NDCC Arena) definitely helps.”
If Nelson wants to get back into the Murdoch Division race the team has better start winning divisional games against the top teams like Castlegar and Beaver Valley.
The Hawks currently lead the Leafs by eight points in the standings, with Nelson have played an extra game.
Beaver Valley has also owned the Leafs, leading the season series 3-1.
However, before the Leafs can think about the Hawks, the players had better focus on the surging Rebels, a team that is 7-2-1-0 in the last ten games and holds a three points advantage over the Leafs.
“We’re starting to get everyone back (from injury),” Newman said. “But not just that everyone is coming back we’re starting to become more of a family and everyone is pulling for each other.”
“At the beginning of the season I noticed we’d start off as a team but then everyone would try to get their own points,” Newman added.
“But now I think everyone has bought into the team philosophy.”
LEAF BANTER: Nelson is off for the remainder of the weekend after playing Castlegar Friday but heads to Kimberley for a rare Monday night game in the Bavarian City. . . .Nick Newman is tied for second in Leaf scoring with Brett Norman, two points behind Colton Schell. Norman leads the team in goals with 19, two more than both Newman and Schell. . . .Look for Andrew Walton to get the start in goal Friday against his former mates from Castlegar. . . . Beaver Valley made a claim as the best team in the Kootenay Conference by sweeping Eddie Mountain leading Fernie Ghostriders during a weekend home-and-home series. . . . After Nelson, Castlegar returns home to meet Summerland Steam at 7:30 p.m. in the CDCC Arena.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
