Today’s Poll

Leafs bounce back to knock off Rockets

The Nelson Daily Sports
By The Nelson Daily Sports
January 28th, 2019

Nelson Leafs scored three times in the second period to edge Golden Rockets 4-1 in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League action Sunday afternoon at the NDCC Arena.

The win allowed the Murdoch Division leading Leafs to gain a weekend split after dropping a 5-3 decision to the Ghostriders Saturday night in Fernie.

Keenan Crossman, scoring on the power play, Shawn Campbell and Tyler Nypower scored in the middle frame to give the home side a commanding 3-0 advantage after 40 minutes.

Reid Wilson increased the margin to 4-0 in the third before Bryce Trimmer spoiled a shutout bid by Nelson goal Caiden Kreitz with a shorthanded talley late in the game.

Wilson, with two points, finished the game as the only Leaf player with a multi-point contest. Nelson outshot the Rockets 34-24.

Kreitz, named Nelson's Game Star, registered his 14th win of the season in goal.

Riders halt Leafs unbeaten streak

Tyler Witzke and Jordan Kromm each scored twice to spark Fernie a 5-3 victory Saturday in the East Kootenay City.

The win halted Nelson’s nine-game unbeaten streak. Three times in the game Nelson held one-goal leads before the Ghostriders scored three unanswered goals in the third period to seal the home-ice victory.

Brendan Nemes also scored for the Ghostriders, which bounced back from a heartbreaking 2-1 overtime loss to Kootenay Conference leading Kimberley Dynamiters Friday. Dylan Defosse had three assists for Fernie.

Shawn Grobowsky, Mitch Lavoie and Kalem Hanlon replied for Nelson, which held a 3-2 advantage after 40 minutes.

Nelson Game Star Tyler Nypower added pair of assists for the Leafs. Leaf netminder Caiden Kreitz suffered only his second loss of the season as Fernie outshot Nelson 35-27.

Commanding Murdoch Division Lead entering February

Nelson, 28-10-2-1, completed the month of January with an impressive 6-1-1 record and a 13-point lead in Murdoch Division standings.

The Leafs return to the road to conclude Kootenay Conference interlocking play with a trip to Golden and Columbia Valley, Friday and Saturday, respectively.

Next home game is February 8 against Creston Valley Thunder Cats. Including the game against the Cats, Nelson has four home games remaining in the regular season — twice against Spokane and once a rematch against the Ghostriders.

A Friend in need

Nelson Friends of the Family was also a winner Sunday, raising money for its special charitable foundation. Prior to the game, Nelson Home Hardware Building presented Friends of the Family with a cheque totally $3,000.

There was also other fundraising happening on the concourse, including silent auction and raffles. Nelson and Area Friends of the Family started in 2000 as a result of local families wanting to give back to the community that helped them during their own time of crisis.

The Foundation now supports families with emergency financial needs due to childhood illness or accidental injuries. For more information go to the Foundation website

Former Leaf coach Sean Dooley and Brittany Horswill of Home Hardware Building Centre present Friends of the Family with a cheque for $3,000 prior to the star of Sunday's KIJHL game between Nelson and Golden. — Bruce Fuhr, The Nelson Daily

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