Murdoch Division Champs run winning streak to seven games
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Nelson Leafs continue to build for the post season after the Heritage City franchise posted a pair of home-ice wins during Kootenay International Junior Hockey League play at the NDCC Arena.
Nelson scored a pair of one-goal victories, Friday, over Spokane Braves 3-2 and Saturday, against Fernie Ghostriders 4-3.
The wins increase Nelson’s recent winning streak to seven games as the regular season closes. The Murdoch Division regular season champs improved to 34-10-2-1 on the season.
Leafs edge Braves in penalty-filled contest
David Sanchez scored the winning goal midway through the third period sparking Nelson to a 3-2 victory over visiting Spokane Braves Friday.
Shawn Campbell and Keenan Crossman also scored for the Leafs.
Nelson looked to be in control of the game, leading 3-1 after Sanchez scored. However, the Braves Jed Butler, with his second of the game, scored a shorthanded marker to make the game interesting.
Nelson welcomed netminder Caiden Kreitz back to the lineup. Kreitz, who had not played since January 27th, stopped 17 of 19 shots to register the victory.
A total of 106 minutes of penalties were handed out by referee Andrew Falcone, with the Braves picking up 64.
Fawcett powers Nelson past Ghostriders
Grimshaw, AB, native Tulsen Fawcett registered a four-point night to spark Nelson to a 4-3 win over pesky Ghostriders from Fernie.
Fawcett, with six points in the last three games, assisted on Jack Karran’s game winning goals with nine minutes remaining in the third period. Both of Fawcett’s goals came on the power play. The 6’4”, 180-pound Leaf defenceman was also named Nelson’s Game Star.
Emery Neilson also scored for Nelson. Sawan Gill, Brendan Nemes and Tristan Downe replied for Fernie.
Nelson outshot the Ghostriders 25-22 with goalie Caiden Kreitz registered his 16th win in 18 attempts this season. Kreitz leads all KIJHL goalies with a 1.75 GAA and .936 save percentage.
Captain Jack continues scoring streak
Leaf Captain Jack Karran continues to lead by example on the scoresheet, registering three points during the weekend to run his point streak to nine games. Karran has points in 17 of 18 games dating back to December 8th.
Karran’s linemate, Shawn Campbell, is also on a nine-game point streak while David Sanchez has points in the last four games.
Bruins, Braves in battle for third in Murdoch Division
A late charge by the Grand Forks Border Bruins has kicked the Spokane Braves into the final playoff spot in the Murdoch Division. Grand Forks has won three straight games with weekend wins over Fernie, Castlegar and Creston.
The Bruins have one game remaining in the regular season, Friday at home against the Leafs while the Braves travel to Nelson Saturday before closing out the season Sunday at home against Beaver Valley Nitehawks.
The third-place team meets Beaver Valley in the first round of the Murdoch playoffs while the fourth-place finisher travels to Nelson to face the division-winning Leafs. The KIJHL playoffs begin the last week of February.
