Leafs outlast Bruins 6-4 to remain atop Murdoch Division; Hawks double Rebels
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Grand Forks Border Bruins posted two straight wins over the Nelson Leafs.
The Leafs were not going to allow the Bruins to make it three.
Travis Wellman, Jamie Vlanich and team captain Darnel St. Pierre combined for 10 points to lead the Leafs to a 6-4 victory over the Bruins in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League action Friday night at the Civic Centre Arena.
The win keeps Nelson in first place in the Murdoch Division, two points ahead of the Beaver Valley Nitehawks, and all but eliminates the Bruins from postseason play.
Beaver Valley doubled Castlegar 6-3 in Fruitvale.
Nelson held period leads of 3-1 and 6-2 before cruising the victory.
Wellman led Nelson in scoring with three goals while Carsen Willans added a pair.
Nelson’s leading scorer, Vlanich had a goal and two assists for three points.
Former Leaf Connor Gross, with a pair, Max Newton and Michael Rand replied for the Grand Forks.
Grand Forks scored twice on the power play while Nelson scored a shorthanded tally and a power play marker.
Brad Rebagliati was in goal for the Leafs to register the win.
Kai McDonald was thrust into relief of Grand Forks starter Dominic Stadnyk, who was pulled after surrendering Nelson’s third first period goal.
Nelson, travelling to Grand Forks to face the Bruins Saturday, continues to lead the Murdoch Division by two points over the Beaver Valley Nitehawks.
The Hawks meet Castlegar in the Sunflower City Saturday.
Dallas Calvin scored three times to lead Beaver Valley past the Rebels.
Ryan Edwards, Jeremy Luchini and Riley Brandt also scored for the Hawks.
Connor Beauchemin, Darren Medeiros and Kody Disher replied for Castlegar.
Meanwhile Grand Forks, losers of five consecutive games, trail the Spokane Braves by 10 points with only five games remaining in the season.
Castlegar continues to lead Spokane by a single point in the race for third in the Murdoch Division.
