Leafs rebound to grab series lead against Spokane; Hawks steamrolling Rebels
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Beaver Valley Nitehawks are within a game of booking a ticket to the Murdoch Division Final after hammering the Castlegar Rebels 8-2 Friday in the Sunflower City.
So the Nelson Leafs had better take care of business, and quick in their Murdoch Semi against the Spokane Braves.
The Leafs took a step in that direction, getting a pair of goals from Linden Horswill to outlast the Braves 4-1 in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League playoff action Friday in the Lilac City.
The win gives Nelson a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series with Game four set for Saturday back in Spokane.
Horswill, who did not play in the first two games of the series where Nelson scored a combined five goals, was a welcome addtion for the struggling Leaf offence.
The Nelson Minor Hockey grad scored the winning goal late in the first period, combining with Carsen Willans to beat Jon Manlow with eight seconds remaining in the period.
In the third Rayce Miller and Horswill, on the power play, secured the victory for Nelson.
Willans led the Leafs in scoring with three points, including Nelson’s first goal.
Paxton Malone scored the only goal for Spokane less than two minutes into the game.
However, Malone’s goal was the lone blemish on a stellar night for Leaf goalie Adam Maida, who stopped 25 of 26 shots.
Nelson was better turning the other cheek than in Game two of the series where Spokane scored three power play goals, only taking three minor penalties.
Meanwhile in Castlegar, the Hawks continue to roll past the Rebels, scoring five second-period goals en route to the convincing victory.
Sheldon Hubbard and Walker Sidoni each scored twice to lead the Hawks to its third win in as many nights over the Rebels.
During the three games, Beaver Valley has out scored Castlegar 18-5.
Mitch Foyle, Dan Holland, Ryan Edwards and Braden Fuller also scored for the Hawks.
Chase Reddin and Kody Disher replied for Beaver Valley.
Brett Clark stopped 36 shots to register the win in goal.
Patrick Zubick and Nate Rabbitt shared the netminding duties for Castlegar.
Game four of the series goes Sunday at 7 p.m. in Castlegar.
ICE CHIPS: For the third consecutive game, Nelson was missing its leading scorer Jamie Vlanich. The Trail product has been missing from the lineup since February 14 with an upper body injury. No word on when the KIJHL leading scorer will be back on the ice although Vlanich did make the trip to Spokane. . . . Creston Valley Thunder Cats lead the Eddie Mountain Semi Final against Columbia Valley Rockies 3-0 after scoring an 8-1 victory Friday in Invermere. Fernie edged Kimberley 3-1 to climb back in the other Eddie Mountain series, and now trail 2-1 with Game four Saturday in Fernie. . . .Kamloops (2-1), 100 Mile House (2-1) North Okanagan (2-1) and Osoyoos (3-0) all lead their respective series in the Okanagan/Shuswap Conference.
