Nitros explode for three goals to double Leafs 4-2 in Bavarian City
By The Nelson Daily Sports
It was a positive sign for a team struggling to find anything positive.
The Nelson Leafs stayed stride for stride with the defending Kootenay International Junior Hockey League champs for 48 minutes before the Nitros offence exploded for three goals in a 10-minute span to double the Green and White 4-2 Friday in the Bavarian City.
Keenan Haase, Jason Richter and Trevor Van Steinburg, with an insurance marker in the final three minutes of the game, rallied the top team in the Eddie Mountain Division to its league-leading 22nd win of the season.
The goal by Haase came seconds after Blair Andrews gave Nelson a 2-1 lead midway through the third period.
Jordan Busch on the power play gave Kimberley a 1-0 lead after one period.
Austin Anselmo, also on the power play, tied the game for the Leafs in the second.
Kimberley out shot the Leafs by a wide 30-19 margin — including a 14-7 advantage in the third period — making the night a busy one for Nelson netminder Patrick Ostermann who looks to the go-to guy in goal for the Murdoch Division club.
Nelson, riding a three-game losing streak, host the Columbia Valley Rockies Saturday at 7 p.m. in the NDCC Arena.
The Leafs will be looking to avenge a 4-2 loss to the Rockies last week in Invermere.
