Rebels take sting out of Rockets with 7-1 pasting in Kootenay Conference Final
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Castlegar Rebels exploded for four first-period goals en route to a 7-1 trashing of the Golden Rockets in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League playoff action Saturday night in the Sunflower City.
The Rebels now lead the best-of-seven Kootenay Conference Final 2-0.
Castlegar won the opener in the series 4-0 Friday.
Games three and four are Monday and Tuesday in Golden.
Castlegar scored four times in the first period, but three of the goals came in the final five minutes of the frame.
After Erik Alden gave Castlegar the 1-0 lead, Jamie Vlanich, Bryan Lubin and Aaron Brewer on the power play scored before the period ended.
Travis Wellman sandwiched two goals around the lone Golden marker coming shorthanded by Jose Jewell in the second to give Castlegar a commanding 6-1 lead.
Riley Ostoforoff rounded out the scoring in the third.
After being out shot 19-8 in the opening frame, the Rockets bounded back to lead on the short clock for the final two periods 27-16.
Okanagan Conference series all square
North Okanagan Knights evened up its Kootenay Conference Final with Osoyoos by stopping the Coyotes 5-1 Saturday in Armstrong.
The series now shifts to the South Okanagan for Games three and four Monday and Tuesday.
Osoyoos won the opener Friday 6-2.
