Leafs gear up for tough seven-game grind; host Grand Forks Saturday
By The Nelson Daily Sports
After spending more time on the practice ice than in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League games situations during the first part of November, the Nelson Leafs gear up for a hectic, seven games in 16 day stint to conclude the month.
The Leafs, sitting in third spot in the Murdoch Division behind Beaver Valley Nitehawks and Castlegar Rebels, begin the seven-game grind Friday in Creston against the Thunder Cats.
Nelson, 12-7, then plays Grand Forks Border Bruins Saturday, at 7 p.m. in the NDCC Arena, in the first of four games against Murdoch Division teams.
Saturday’s contest is the first home game for the Leafs since October 24.
“It’s kind of a wierd schedule, but it’s actually worked in our favour,” said Leaf coach Dave McLellan.
“We’ve got five players who are injured so the time away has helped them get healthy.”
McLellan said the players in sick-bay include rookie defenceman Ren Mason and Kyle Chernenkoff, netminder Patrick Ostermann and forwards Austin Lindsay and Brendan Smith.
Of the five, only Ostermann could be ready when the Leafs begin weekend play Friday in Creston.
If Ostermann can’t dress, even in a back up role in goal, McLellan may need to find a back up for the weekend’s games.
Regardless of Ostermann’s situation, Joseph Barton is the go-to man between the pipes for the Green and White for Creston and Grand Forks.
Welcome to ‘parity’ in the KIJHL
McLellan said the league is getting a lot tougher for all KIJHL teams as, on any given night, there’s not much difference between the so-called “elite” teams and those deeper in the standings.
Of the four division leaders in the KIJHL, only Kamloops Storm enter the weekend on a winning streak.
Eddie Mountain and defending KIJHL champion, Kimberley Dynamiters, Okanagan Division leader Osoyoos Coyotes and Murdoch’s Beaver Valley are all one losing streaks — the latter Nitehawks winless in the last two.
“Creston will be a tough game for us and Grand Forks, you can never underestimate (Border Bruins),” McLellan said.
“They’re proving to be a tough opponent in the Murdoch Division. . .. Just ask Beaver Valley, who got beat by Grand Forks (twice at home last Saturday and Tuesday night, in overtime).”
Nelson has won both meetings this season against the Bruins. However, the two wins were one-goal affairs with the latest a 3-2 overtime win October 16.
The Leafs and Bruins get back to the ice Tuesday for the return match in Grand Forks.
Looking for a diamond in the rough
The Leafs added another player to the roster last weekend when McLellan scooped 6-foot, 185-pound forward Matthew Sokol from the Summerland Steam.
Sokol, a native of Calgary, Alberta, had a goal and an assist in 14 games with the Steam.
McLellan hopes Sokol can add some size and toughness to the third and fourth lines for the Leafs.
Sokol saw his first action Sunday in Nelson’s 4-1 win in Spokane over the Braves.
