Power play goal sinks Leafs as Nitros take anniversary game 5-4
By The Nelson Daily Sports
By Bruce Fuhr
The Nelson Daily Sports
Another slow start came back to haunt the Nelson Leafs Monday night in Kimberley.
Rylan Duley scored a power play goal at 12:48 of the third period, snapping a 4-4 tie to spark the Dynamiters to a 5-4 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League victory in the Bavarian City.
“It was a disappointing start for us,” said Leaf coach Frank Maida from the team bus Monday.
“We didn’t come out strong and they took it too us.”
Kimberley struck for two quick goals, the first coming in the opening minute of the game, to take a 2-0 first period lead.
The teams exchanged goals in the second as the Nitros continued its two-goal advantage after 40 minutes.
In the third Eric Spring and Matti Jmaeff tied the game with goals early in the third.
But Duley spoiled the comeback with a man-advantage goal.
“Bus legs hurt us,” Maida said, “We couldn’t get back in the game until the third period.”
Corson Johnstone, Jared Marchi, Senate Patton and Richard Hubscher also scored for Kimberley, which took over top spot in the Eddie Mountain Division two points ahead of Fernie Ghostriders.
James Sorrey and Dallon Stoddart also scored for Nelson. Brasden Ostepchuk got the win over Nelson’s Andrew Walton in goal.
Nelson, 19-10-0-2 on the season, failed to take advantage of an extra game the Leafs had on second-place Castlegar.
Nelson returns to the NDCC to face Murdoch leading Beaver Valley Nitehawks Friday at 7 p.m. in the NDCC Arena.
The game is the first of three Murdoch Division games for Nelson.
Saturday the team travels to Castlegar to meet the Rebels before concluding the weekend Sunday with a 1 p.m. game in Fruitvale against the Hawks.
ICE CHIPS: Monday’s game in Kimberley marked the 80th anniversary of hockey in the Bavarian City. Monday’s contest focused on copying the game played exactly 80 years ago against the same team, the Nelson Maple Leafs. Kimberley won that very first game 2-1. . . .Leaf coach Frank Maida said the Leafs came away from the game unscathed with no new injuries to report. . . . Nelson won the first game between the two clubs, October 7, 4-3.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
