Leafs get some payback to start KIJHL season; off to Okanagan for two-game road swing
By Bruce Fuhr
The Nelson Leafs got some payback, albeit a season later, when the Green and White picked up two points in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League standings after the Kelowna Chiefs were caught using an ineligible person on opening day of the current campaign.
The Chiefs were penalized two points for having an ineligible trainer on the roster and improving Nelson’s record to 3-1 record to start the season.
“(Kelowna) played a someone not approved by Hockey Canada Registry,” KIJHL president Bill Ohlhausen told The Nelson Daily Friday.
“And they (Kelowna) lost points.”
The Chiefs opened the season by scoring a 3-0 shutout on the score sheet over the Leafs.
Kelowna iced the same lineup the next night, but lost 3-2 to the Nitehawks in Beaver Valley.
Leaf brass know full well what the Chiefs are going through after coach and GM Dave McLellan was suspended for a month last season for using an ineligible player for the nine games.
Nelson also had eight points stripped from the season record.
It was the second time during the season the Leafs were penalized for using an ineligible player.
However, Ohlhausen said there would be no suspensions of coaches or fines to the teams this season after Hockey Canada insisted the KIJHL revert to its disciplinary rules.
“(Hockey Canada) wanted us to return to their rule,” Ohlhausen explained.
“If a teams uses an ineligible player, they lose the points regardless of the score.”
Ohlhausen is hopeful news of Kelowna’s demise will send ripple affects through the league and its coaches and manager.
“I hope so,” Ohlhausen said before heading off to the Eddie Mountain Division to take in games in Golden and Fernie this weekend.
“I don’t like taking points away from the teams because it’s not the kids making the mistakes, it’s the team officials. The players don’t know who is listed on the roster, only coaches and manager know that.”
The extra two points moves Nelson to within two points of division leading Beaver Valley and Castlegar — both tied for top spot in the Neil Murdoch Division with eight points.
Nelson travels to the Okanagan this weekend with stops Friday in Princeton, against the Posse, and Saturday, in Osoyoos, against the Coyotes.
Both teams are starting the season slow with Princeton sporting a 3-2 record in five games and Osoyoos batting .500 with a 1-1-0-0-1 mark.
BLUELINES: There’s not much to report on the player from for Nelson. Leaf brass has invited a few new players into camp, but did not make any changes to the roster last week. . . . Forward Jordan Davie leads Nelson in scoring with four goals. Davie is tied with Brendan Smith in points, each with four. . . . Leaf netminder Joseph Barton leads the goaltenders with two wins in two games. . . . Next home game for Nelson is Friday, October 2 when Beaver Valley Nitehawks invade the NDCC Arena. Game time is 7 p.m. . . . The Hawks host Columbia Valley Friday before traveling to Castlegar Sunday at 1 p.m. for a Murdoch Showdown against the Rebels. Grand Forks host Kelowna Saturday before travelling to Spokane to face the Braves Sunday.
