Leafs edge Rebels in final preseason tilt Tuesday
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Newcomer Greg Nickel got things going with a goal on the first shift sparking the Nelson Leafs to a 4-3 victory over visiting Castlegar Rebels in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League preseason action Tuesday night at the NDCC Arena.
The win completed the exhibition season for Nelson. The Leafs finished the four-game set with a record of 1-1-2.
Colton Schell, J.J Beitel and Nelson product Matt McDonald also scored for the Leafs. Dylan Sibbald, with a pair, and Bryan Lubin replied for the Rebels.
Brett Soles and Patrick Defoe split the netminding duties for the Leafs.
The game was a fiesty affair with referee Erik Laughton sending player after player to the penalty box in the first period before the game settled down.
The two teams played to a 1-1 tie Sunday in Castlegar.
Castlegar, which ousted Nelson from last year’s post season in the first round of the Murdoch Division playoffs, returns to the NDCC Arena to open the KIJHL season Friday against the Leafs.
Game two of the home-and-home series goes back in the Sunflower City Saturday.
