Boyd scores pair as Leafs double up Grizzlies
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Nelson Leafs hit the ground running to open the 2023-24 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season.
The Leafs doubled up on the Revelstoke Grizzlies 4-2 Friday at the NDCC Arena.
Nelson Minor Hockey grad Seamus Boyd scored twice and Jackson McLeod stopped 23 of 25 shots to power the Green and White past the Grizzlies.
“As a coaching staff we were really happy with our guys attention to detail and their work ethic,” said Leaf assistant coach Russell Sanderson.
“It was an awesome atmosphere,” Sanderson adds as more than 500 fans packed the NDCC Arena for the Leafs opening night.
“The fan support was incredible, and I think the boys felt that right from opening puck drop.”
Nelson opened up a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by Ty Nykyforuk and Boyd.
JD Hemming increased the lead to 3-0 with a second-period marker before Boyd scored his second of the game three minutes into the third frame.
However, the Leafs ran into penalty problems in the third allowing the Grizzlies to close to within two goals with a pair of power-play markers from Luke Aston and Nicholas Buckley.
Aidan Turner finished the game with two assists for Nelson.
Nelson outshot the Grizzlies 39-25.
Nelson now heads out on the road for a weekend series against the Eddie Mountain Division, Friday in Fernie and Saturday against the defending KIJHL champion Kimberley Dynamiters.
The Dynamiters won the Teck Cup for the second time in five years after edging out the Princeton Posse for the KIJHL championship.
“Our focus heading into this weekend is really just trying to build off the positives from our last game and come away with a couple of wins,” said Sanderson.
Next home action for Nelson is three-game weekend homestand at the NDCC Arena October 6-8.
The Leafs host Murdoch Division rival Beaver Valley Nitehawks Friday, October 6 and Creston Valley Thunder Cats Saturday, October 7.
Both games have a 7 p.m. puck drop.
Sunday, October 8, the Leafs play host to Spokane Braves for a 2 p.m. afternoon tilt.
