Leafs, Hawks, Rebels all pull out wins in Saturday night KIJHL action
By The Nelson Daily Sports
If the Leafs want any chance of catching the front-runners in the KIJHL’s Murdoch Division Nelson must beat the lesser teams in the league.
And the last time anyone looked, the Spokane Braves is one of those lesser teams in the standings.
The Leafs rode the three-goal performance of Nik Newman to a 4-2 doubling of the Braves Saturday at the NDCC Arena.
The win completed the weekend sweep of the home-and-home series and helped Nelson keep pace with the two Murdoch leaders, Beaver Valley and Castlegar.
The Hawks hammered the Columbia Valley Rockies in Invermere while Castlegar bounced Summerland Steam, both games ended in identical 9-3 scores.
Saturday was a far cry from the offensive explosion Friday in Spokane that saw the teams combined for 14 goals.
After a scoreless first period the teams exchanged goals with Newman opening the scoring and Uriah Machuga replying for Spokane.
However, seconds into the third Newman scored his second of the game on the power play from defenceman J.J. Beitel.
Defenceman Jonathan Petrash, with his second goal of the weekend on the power play gave Nelson a 3-1 advantage.
Machuga cut the lead to a single goal scoring his second of the game on the power play.
But Newman, named the game’s first star, combined with Brett Norman during the latter stages of the contest to seal the win for Nelson.
The Leafs out shot the Braves 26-24 during the game making goalie Andrew Walton a winner for the second time in as many days.
Nelson, improving to 17-9-0-2, remains two points behind Castlegar in Murdoch standings and six away from division leading Beaver Valley.
Nelson, 4-1 in its last five games, travels to Grand Forks Thursday to meet the Bruins.
The next home game is Friday, December 9 when Nelson hosts the Castlegar Rebels.
Spear, Ninimiken, Martin lead Hawks past Rockies
Mason Spear scored twice and Justin Niminiken and rookie Craig Martin each added four points to lead the Hawks to the 9-3 rout of Columbia Valley.
Ryan Edwards, Martin, Chris Derochie, Christian Johnson, Jacob Boycuk and Max Flanagan also scored for the Hawks.
Spear, Edwards and Johnson finished the game each with three points.
Mike Vlanich had an easy time in net, facing just 14 shots to register the win.
The three-point night by Edwards increased his KIJHL scoring lead to four points over teammates Derochie and Martin.
Beaver Valley remains one of the hottest teams in the KIJHL, going 8-1-0-1 in its last 10 games.
The Hawks face a tough challenge Friday when Beaver Valley travels to Fernie to face the Eddie Mountain leading Ghostriders.
The teams return to Fruitvale Saturday for the back half of the home-and-home series.
Morriseau works some magic against Steam
Scott Morriseau is quickly rounding into form for the Castlegar Rebels.
The gifted sniper had a six-point night to lead the Rebels to the romp past the Steam.
Despite only playing 13 games this season, the diminutive forward already has 19 points. Saturday Morriseau finished the game with three goals.
Stuart Walton chipped in with five points — a goal and four helpers — while Erik Alden, Arthur Andrews and Tyler Jones each had three points.
Jones also had two goals with singles going to Walton, Anthony Delong and Alden.
Castlegar, 18-7-0-2, and 8-2 in its last 10 games, remains four points behind Beaver Valley in Murdoch standings.
Conner Beachamp stopped 20 shots to record the win in goal. Castlegar out shot the Steam 43-23.
Castlegar returns home to play two games next weekend at the Community Complex Arena.
Friday the Rebels host Princeton Posse while Saturday, Golden Rockets invade the Sunflower City.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
