Maida, stingy defence sparks Leafs to 3-1 Murdoch series lead
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Nelson Leafs rode the stellar netminding of Adam Maida and a stingy defence to a 2-1 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League playoff road victory over the Spokane Braves Saturday night in the Lilac City.
The win gives Nelson a commanding 3-1 lead in the Murdoch Division best-of-seven semi final.
Nelson can clinch the series Monday at the NDCC Arena. Game time is 7 p.m.
The Leafs got all the scoring they would need in the first period when Quinn Kimchuk and Connor Tetlock scored four minutes apart.
Kimchuk teamed up with Nelson’s playoff leading scorer Carsen Willans while Tetlock combined with teammates Alec Wikinson and Travis Wellman.
Kyle Davis cut the margin in half with by scoring 12 seconds after Tetlock.
That would be all the scoring as the Leafs, using a 37-save performance from Madia, suffocated the Braves offence for the remainder of the game.
In four games, the Nelson Minor Hockey grad has surrendered eight goals — including two in Games three and four.
Nelson out shot the Braves 40-38 in the contest.
Jon Manlow was in goal for the Braves.
PLAYOFF NOTES: Carsen Willans leads the Leafs in scoring with seven points as the Nelson native has points in every game in the 2014 playoffs. . . . No Jamie Vlanich for the fourth straight game in the playoffs for Nelson. The KIJHL’s leading scorer is still nursing an upper body injury. . . .The same status for netminder Brad Rebagliati and winger Adam Hodge as both players did not play. . . . Troy Petrick was also scratched from the lineup for Nelson. . . . Tristan Pagura scored in overtime to give Kimberley a 4-3 road win over Fernie Saturday. The Nitros lead the series 3-1. In Invermere, Creston dumped Columbia Valley 9-2 to sweep the series in four games. Nelson’s Tyler Podgorenko had an assist in the game for the Thunder Cats. . . . In the Okanagan/Shuswap Confernence, Osoyoos swepts Kelowna 4-0 and North Okanagan, Kamloops and 100 Mile House holds 3-1 leads. . . . Beaver Valley Nitehawks can advance to the Murdoch Final Sunday in Castlegar. The Hawks lead the Murdoch semi final 3-0 over the Rebels.
