Trap weekend? Leafs drop pair in overtime
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Can you spell “Trap Weekend”?
I knew you could.
The Nelson Leafs saw it coming, talked about it in practice during meeting day earlier int the week but could do nothing about it as two lower seeded teams in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League stole a pair of overtime wins over the top team in the entire league.
Kyle Davis scored with 24 seconds remaining in the second overtime period to power the Spokane Braves to a 4-3 victory over the Leafs Saturday at the NDCC Arena.
Friday, a picture-perfect shot to the top corner of the net by Princeton Posse forward Devan Suidy shocked the Leafs 6-5.
Despite the two losses, Nelson has yet to lose in regulation time this season.
In both games Nelson’s previous rock-solid defence surrendered a lead.
Saturday, two goals in a span of three minutes early in the third period — Sean Collins on a power play and Adam Shaner — erased a 3-1 deficit for Spokane, forcing overtime.
Nelson had built a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes as Linden Horswill, with a pair, and Travis Wellman scored.
Hayden Boring had given Spokane a brief 1-0 lead in the first before Horswill tied the game 31 seconds later.
Nelson out shot the Braves 38-32 as Leaf goalie Brad Rebagliati suffered his first loss of the season since coming to the Heritage City franchise from Alberni Valley Bulldogs of the BCHL.
Friday, Nelson and Princeton played a seasaw affair with each team holding leads a different times of the game.
However, once again it was the Leafs not being able to play with the lead as, holding a 5-4 advantage and on the power play, Nelson goalie Tyler Moffat served up a gift Destin Robinson of the Posse kindly desposited in the home net for the game-tying marker.
Suidy then quickly ended the contest with his seeing-eye shot past Moffat 43 seconds into the extra period.
The Leafs have little time to rest their wounded ego as the Green and White travel to Creston for a Sunday afternoon tilt against the Eddie Mountain leading Thunder Cats.
LEAF NOTES: Nelson Minor Hockey grad Linden Horswill is doing his best to erase the memory of Jamie Vlanich leaving the Leafs for Langley of the BCHL as the new-first-line center has eight points — including five in the two weekend losses — in four games. . . . Leaf winger Travis Wellman continues to burn up the league, finishing the two home game with six points, including his league-leading 28 goals. . . . Nelson added 18-year-old Nick Landry from the Kamloops Storm to the lineup for the weekend. Landry, 6’2″ 220 pound winger was released by the Storm after playing 11 games. . . . Nelson called up Austin Tambellini and Trevor Van Steinburg from the Kootenay Ice of the BC Major Midget Hockey League for Friday’s game.
