Leafs hoping to build on past success
By The Nelson Daily Sports
By Bruce Fuhr,
The Nelson Daily Sports
The Nelson Leafs appeared to have solved that dreaded problem scoring.
Now the two-time Kootenay International Junior Hockey League finalist has added some grit in front of the net, which could make finding goals even easier.
Leaf coach and GM Chris Shaw announced Thursday the team is getting a bigger presence in front of the net after the team acquired 6’2”, 190-pound Evan Moir from the Calgary Canucks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
The acquisition of Moir comes on the same weekend that Shaw is getting back 6’2”, 200-pound winger Cody Abbey back from a shoulder injury.
“Evan is a power forward that’s a good fast skater who can carry the puck and has a good physical presence on the ice,” Shaw told The Nelson Daily Thursday. “And now that we have Cody Abbey back also, it should make a big difference for us.”
The on-again, off-again Leafs appear to be back on after racking up a pair of wins. The first win was not totally unexpected against Grand Forks.
However, Sunday’s win in Spokane over the red hot Braves was a victory that could provide the Leafs with some much-needed confidence as the squad attempts to climb the Murdoch Division standings.
“We got back to the basics in practice and put in some hard work,” Shaw explained. “I’ve always been a believer you play the way you practice so we put our hard hats on, did some dryland and it paid off for us.”
The dedication to detail combined with a few changes on the power play allowed the Leafs to snap out of a 1-for-31 slump with the man advantage.
“We changed some things as far as entering the opposition zone differently,” Shaw said. “Once in the zone the guys were really passing the puck around and had some good finishing.”
The Leafs hope to extend the streak a few more games than two when the club plays host to Kimberley Dynamiters Saturday at 7 p.m. in the NDCC Arena.
Sunday it’s off to Spokane once again for an afternoon contest against the Braves.
LEAF NOTES: Kyle Alexander’s stay in Nelson was brief after Shaw sent the former Flin Flon defenceman to Helena, Mont. of the Northern Pacific Junior Hockey League for future considerations. Alexander played only two games in a Leaf jersey . . . Two Leaf players, forward Tanner Burns and Colton Malmsten, will see action Friday for the Trail Smoke Eaters of the BCHL. The Smokies host the Victoria Grizzlies in Trail. Both players will return to the Leafs for the two weekend games.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
