Rebels score five in the second to dump Leafs 5-3, take a 2-1 lead in Murdoch semi final
By The Nelson Daily Sports
By Bruce Fuhr, The Nelson Daily
It was a Murphy’s Law second period for the Nelson Leafs.
Whatever the Green and White touched, or didn’t touch, turned to . . . well, I think Leaf hockey fans understand.
The Castlegar Rebels exploded for five second period goal en route to a 5-3 Murdoch Division semi final victory over the Leafs Monday night in game three of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League playoff series at the NDCC Arena.
The Rebels lead the best-of-seven affair 2-1 with game four set for Tuesday in the Heritage City.
Game five goes Thursday in the Sunflower City.
“We were working hard and got a lot of good bounces that’s for sure,” said Rebel center Stuart Walton talking about the second-period rout by Castlegar.
“Diego (Bartlett), that was a big goal but I really have to give a lot of the credit for this win to Anthony (Delong). He really got our team going for sure.”
Leading 1-0 after one period on a goal by Brett Norman, and feeling pretty good about the game, the night started going south for Nelson 15 seconds into the middle frame,
With Nelson on a power play, Leaf defenceman Jonathon Petrash played the puck at the Castlegar blueline like a grenade.
Anthony Delong pounced on the mistake, the scored a breakaway goal on Andrew Walton.
Nelson regained the lead as Norman scored his second of the game less than a minute later on the power play as he deflected a J.J . Beitel point shot past a surprised Jordan Gluck.
But that would be all cheering for the home side as the Rebel pressure turned into mistake after mistake by the Leafs.
Delong, with his second of the period, tied the game for Castlegar before Bartlett stole the puck behind the Leaf net, and on a second chance, beat Walton to the top corner.
The night just kept getting worse for the Leafs when Max Mois failed to handle a pass along the boards.
Two passes later and the puck was once again in the Nelson net compliments of Arthur Andrews.
Just when the Leafs thought the period couldn’t get any worse, that guy Murphy raised his ugly head again allowing Scott Morriseau to skate between the Nelson defence to score his series leading fifth goal.
“We kind diverted back to our old ways of playing selfish hockey,” admitted Leaf forward Cameron Dobransky when asked about the awful second period.
“(For us to be successful) we need to keep playing as a team,” Dobransky added. “That’s what brings us success. As soon as we start getting away from our systems we start going down hill and is showed tonight.”
Nelson played much better in the third and scored the only goal Nick Newman combined with Carsen Willans and Andrew Miller to give the home side some life.
Despite being down on the shot counter 10-4 in the first frame, the Leafs finished the game out shooting the Rebels 30-26.
“We just have to erase this game from out memory,” Dobransky said starting already to focus on game four.
“Get home right away start focusing for (Tuesday). Come to the rink prepared. Keep preparing until warm-up comes and then go from there.”
GAME NOTES: Scratches for Castlegar were defenceman Bryce Eviston and forward Connor Bowen while defenceman Eric Spring and winger James Sorrey did not dress for Nelson. Spring is expected to be back in the lineup Tuesday after serving a one-game suspension Monday for a game misconduct penalty in game two Saturday. . .If necessary, game six is scheduled for Nelson Friday making game seven in Castlegar Saturday. . . .Monday’s result continues of trend of no team in this series, regular season or playoff, being able to win two consecutive games. Castlegar will try to break that streak Tuesday. . . .Beaver Valley took a 2-1 lead against Spokane, blasting the Braves 7-3 in the Lilac City. Rookie Craig Martin scored three times as the Hawks out shot the Braves 60-31.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
