Rebels shutout Rockets to grab early lead in Kootenay Finals
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Many experts have said the Murdoch Division is the toughest in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League to win.
The Golden Rockets realized the toughness first hand after the Castlegar Rebels didn’t skip a beat despite ending a seven-game slugfest against Beaver Valley Wednesday and bounced the Eddie Mountain Champs 4-0 in Game one of the Kootenay Conference Final Friday in the Sunflower City.
Connor Beachamp backstopped a stingy Rebel defence that allowed only 20 shots to register the win in goal.
Kody Dishers scored twice, one marker coming in the first period on the power play, while Diego Bartlett and Darren Medeiros added singles to lead the Rebels.
Castlegar, scoring three third-period goals to complete the rout, out shot the Rockets 34-20.
Game two is Saturday in Castlegar. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
In the Okanagan Conference, Osoyoos Coyotes continued their upset ride knocking off top seed North Okanagan 6-2 Friday in Armstrong.
Game two is Saturday back in the North Okanagan City.
