Steady diet of Murdoch on horizon for Leafs
By The Nelson Daily Sports
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Nelson hockey fans can get ready for a steady diet of Murdoch as the boys in the Green and White begin a stretch of five out of six games against division rivals tonight in the Sunflower City.
Unfortunately, those divisional rivals have been less than hospitable to the Leafs, losers of five of seven games in the division — including four losses to Beaver Valley and tonight’s opponent the Castlegar Rebels.
“Maybe it’s a mental thing,” Leaf captain Taylor O’Neil said earlier this week when asked about the upper echelon Murdoch teams. “We know we can compete against them.”
“But those teams have been together a little longer,” added the 19, soon to be 20-year-old defenceman.
Nelson returns home Saturday to host the Spokane Braves. In the only previous meeting between the two clubs, Nelson rallied from a 1-0 deficit to score four times en route to a 4-1 victory.
Castlegar boasts an 8-3 record under rookie coach Steven Junker. However, the 16 points is fourth best behind KIJHL leader Osoyoos Coyotes (23 points), second overall Revelstoke Grizzlies (20) and Fernie Ghostriders (18).
Nelson needs to pay special attention to KIJHL scoring leader Ryan Aynsley. The Kelowna product has a two-point lead over Taylor House and and three point advantage on Thierry Martine, both of Osoyoos. Top scorer on the Leafs is Gavin Currie with 12 points.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
