Leafs, Nitehawks post shutouts in Murdoch Division action on opening night of KIJHL
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Wow! What a difference a week makes.
Andrew Walton turned away 27 shots to power the Nelson Leafs to a 3-0 victory over the defending Kootenay Conference Champion, Castlegar Rebels, in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League action Friday night at the Community Complex in the Sunflower City.
The win gained the Green and White a little revenge after the Murdoch Division rivals pummeled Nelson by a total score of 14-5 in two exhibition games.
The story of the game was the play of Walton, who started last season in Castlegar before being traded to Fernie midway through the campaign.
Walton made 12 saves in the first period and 11 in the second before the Leafs took the play to the home side, out shooting Castlegar 11-4 in the third.
Patrick Martens led the Nelson attack with a pair of second period goals. Colton Malmsten opened the scoring in the first frame with an assist coming from newly acquired Matti Jmaeff.
Jmaeff came to the Leafs earlier this week in a four-team deal that sent former Nelson goalie Darren Hogg to Osoyoos.
Grand Forks Border Bruins and Penticton Lakers were also involved in the transaction.
Newcomer Connor Beauchamp took the loss in the nets for Castlegar.
The two teams play the second half of the home-and-home series tonight at the NDCC Arena in Nelson.
Game time is 7 p.m.
Hawks rack up 13 as Beaver Valley explodes past Border Bruins
The Beaver Valley Nitehawks scored 10 times, that’s right, 10 times in the final 40 minutes to blast Grand Forks Border Bruins 13-0 in KIJHL opening night action Friday in the Boundary City.
Chris Derochie led the attack with six points, including three goals.
Craig Martin added a goal and four assists while Ryan Edwards and Scott Davidson each scored twice.
Max Flanagan, Justin Niminikin, Mason Spear and Christian Johnson.
Zach Perehudoff made 30 saves to register the shutout.
Ryan Bryant and Jeremy Mandoli each took turns between the pipes facing the Nitehawk onslaught.
The two teams play the second half of the home-and-home series tonight in Fruitvale. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
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