Leafs travel to Kimberley to face Nitros; host Rockies Saturday
By The Nelson Daily Sports
It’s not the best-case scenario facing the Nelson Leafs, but the Green and White are embracing another shot at the defending Kootenay International Junior Hockey League Champions.
Nelson, 18-6-1-1, first in the Murdoch Division, takes a depleted lineup into the Bavarian City to face the Eddie Mountain leading Kimberley Dynamiters as the Junior B Hockey League gears up for another weekend of competition. Nelson is missing no less than six players heading into Friday’s tilts against the Nitros in a showdown between the top two teams in the Kootenay Conference.
Missing from the lineup is the top netminder in the KIJHL, Caiden Krietz, defencemen Kalem Hanlon and Alek Erichuk and forwards Brady Miller and Scott Lancaster.
Goalie Hunter Young is missing his second game of a two-game suspension picked up in Spokane last week. The result of Young suspension, and Kreitz still on the shelf, forced Nelson to once again call on the services of Kootenay Ice affiliate Tenzin Mint between the pipes against the Nitros.
Mint was solid in his last outing with Nelson, posting a 5-0 shutout of Castlegar Rebels.
Looking on the bright side, Nelson sees the return of high-scoring forward Scott Campbell, Mitch Lavoie from suspension as well fans get a look at newly-acquired 5’10”, 175-pound forward Cole Wyatt. Wyatt comes to Nelson from West Kelowna Warriors of the BC Hockey League. The Alberta native played 11 games for West Kelowna this season.
“(Cole) is a solid offensive threat and a great two-way player,” Leaf GM Lance Morey told the media this week.
Morey said Wyatt will be with the Leafs for the remainder of the season.
Nelson needs more offence after the departure of Ryan Piva last month to the Alberta Junior Hockey League. In 17 games with Nelson, Piva registered 32 points including 14 goals.
Rockies pay visit to Heritage City
Saturday, Nelson is back at home to host Columbia Valley Rockies of the Eddie Mountain Division at 7 p.m. in the NDCC Arena.
Nelson will be looking to avenge a loss earlier this season to the Rockies in Invermere.
Former Leaf Ben Kelsch stole the show, stopping 39 of 41 shots to edge his former mates 4-2. Nelson peppered Kelsch with 26 shots in the third period.
Leafs former goalie is also returning the NDCC Arena after being traded to Columbia Valley last week.
