Late goal by Braves snaps Nelson win streak at three
By The Nelson Daily Sports
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Spokane Braves put an abrupt end to the modest three-game winning streak of the Nelson Leafs Sunday in the Lilac City.
A goal by Ryan Hadley-Schaal with just over two minutes remaining in the game snapped a 2-2 tie and powered the Braves to a 3-2 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League victory over the Leafs.
Hadley-Schaal combined with Guisseppe Dippolito and Rance Hughes to beat Darren Hogg in the Nelson nets.
The Spokane victory avenged a home-ice loss to the Leafs a week ago in the Washington State City and squared the season series between the two Neil Murdoch clubs at 2-2.
Nelson falls to 8-9 on the season, trailing Spokane and Beaver Valley by eight points. Castlegar leads the Murdoch Division by two points over Spokane and Beaver Valley.
Trailing 2-1 in the third, the Leafs tied the contest when defenceman Riley Henderson scored with assists from newcomer Evan Moir and Adrian Moyls. It was the first point for Moyls in six games.
Brycen Fisher gave Spokane a 1-0 lead after one period. Henderson, with his first of two on the night, squared the contest at 1-1 after 40 minutes. Joel Stewart scored the other goal for the Braves.
Spokane out shot the Leafs 28-20, including a 12-2 first period onslaught.
Nelson appeared poised to run its win streak to four after scoring a 3-2 overtime victory over Kimberley Dynamiters Saturday night at the NDCC Arena.
Defenceman Braeden Hikichi scored at 1:24 of overtime sparking the Leafs.
After the teams played to a scoreless first period, despite Nelson out shooting the Nitros 18-9, Kimberley took control of the contest with a solid second period.
Two goals by Soren Hills, the second coming on the power play, gave the Eddie Mountain squad a 2-0 advantage after 40 minutes.
But Nelson regained the momentum in the dying minutes of the contest when Colton Schell, netting his third goal in three games, scored on the power play.
Patrick Martens, scoring his sixth goal of the season, completed the comeback with a goal with 41 seconds remaining in the third period.
Gavin Currie finished the contest with three points while Schell had two.
The Spokane contest was the first of four road games for the Leafs.
Next home game for the Leafs is Saturday, November 13 against Grand Forks Border Bruins.
LEAF NOTES: Saturday’s game marked the return of winger Cody Abbey to the Nelson lineup. The North Kootenay minor hockey grad has been on the disabled list since September 17 with a shoulder injury. However Abbey was not in the lineup Sunday against Spokane . . .Darren Hogg, playing his first game since October 15, had a weekend split in goal for Nelson. . . .Nelson’s leading scorer Gavin Currie, Patrick Martens and Colton Schell, all had point-streaks end at three after failing to hit the score sheet Sunday. . . .Newcomer Evan Moir, acquired from the Calgary Canucks of the AJHL, recorded one assist in two games for Nelson.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
