Leafs, Hawks win, remain deadlocked on top of Murdoch Division
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Nelson and Beaver Valley remained perfect atop the Neil Murdoch Division after capturing respective divisional battles Friday in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League play.
Jamie Vlanich continues to pay dividends following an offseason trade, scoring on the power play midway through the third period to lift Nelson to a 4-3 win over Spokane in the Lilac City.
Meanwhile in Castlegar, five different players scored for the visitors as Beaver Valley edged the Rebels 5-3.
The wins keep Nelson and Beaver Valley tied for the lead in the Murdoch Division, each undefeated in four games this season.
In Spokane, Vlanich scored a power play marker at 9:24 of the third period, snapping a 3-3 tie to allow Nelson to get past the Braves.
Nelson built a 3-0 lead midway through the second period on goals by Travis Wellman, with a pair, and Alex Wilkinson.
However, Justin Loepker, with a pair, and Justin Bonanno replied to even the contest.
Nelson out shot the Braves 46-24, including a 22-7 advantage in the third period, keeping Ben Simpson busy for most of the game.
Adam Maida made 24 saves to register the win for Nelson.
The Leafs finished the game with two power play markers while the Braves scored once with the man advantage.
In the Sunflower City a goal by Michael Bell late in the second stood up as the winner sparking the Hawks past the Rebels in a rematch of last season’s thrilling Murdoch Division Final.
Ryan Edwards, Fraser Stang, Jacob Boyczuk and Taylor Stafford also scored for the Hawks.
Derek Georgopoulos, Diego Bartlett and Quinn Klimchuk replied for the Rebels.
Beaver Valley out shot the Rebels 34-28 in the contest.
Brett Clark and starter Josh Round split the netminding duties for the Hawks.
Nate Rabbit and Patrick Zubick shared the loss for Castlegar.
The teams complete the home-and-home series Saturday in Fruitvale.
Nelson returns home to the NDCC Arena to play host the Grand Forks Border Bruins at 7 p.m.
The Border Bruins tied Columbia Valley 3-3 Friday in the Boundary City.
