Nelson/Kaslo Midget Reps off to great start, winners of six of seven games
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Last season it was a Nelson/Castlegar mix.
This season Nelson Minor Hockey decided to affiliate with Kaslo to form its Midget Rep squad and the decision appears to be paying dividends on the ice.
Nelson/Kaslo Leafs won its sixth game of the young minor hockey season Sunday in Nakusp, defeating the host club 4-1 thanks to a two-goal performance of Colton Dawson.
“The boys are playing pretty well,” said head coach Tony Maida, doing his best to keep the kids focused on hockey.
For most of these players the dream of junior may be a bit of a stretch as local Kootenay International and B.C. Junior League coaches generally fill their respective rosters with Major Midget players.
However, each season and each coaches’ need is different, meaning playing second fiddle to Major Midget is not necessarily the end of the line.
Sunday, Dawson, who got more than just a passing look at the Nelson Leafs camp, sparked the visiting team to the rebound victory after the Nakusp posted a 3-0 win in the opening tilt.
John Katountas and Ross Jacob also scored for Nelson/Kaslo.
James Tucker went the distance in the nets for Nelson/Kaslo.
“We were missing four kids to sickness for the two games in Nakusp,” Maida, pleased with the play of the remainder of the roster, admitted.
Nelson/Kaslo opened the four-game weekend Friday at the NDCC Arena by defeating Castlegar 5-2.
Dawson led the attack with three points as five different players shared in the scoring.
Matt MacDonald, Sam Webber, Dylan Whiffen and Katountas scored for Nelson/Kaslo. Tyler Maida finished the game with three assists.
Nelson/Kaslo continued its torrid start to the season by outlasting Grand Forks 9-5 Saturday.
Webber scored twice while Peter Reimer, Zach Grimshaw, Liam Butterfield, Dawson and McLain Sandeveland added singles.
For Butterfield and Sandeveland, it was their first goals in rep hockey.
Tyler Maida continued his Wayne Gretzky-like play, setting up there goals for Nelson/Kaslo.
Tucker played most of the weekend as teammate Brayden Pompu suffered an injury during Friday’s game against Castlegar.
Nelson/Kaslo entered the weekend with three consecutive road wins over Grand Forks (4-1) and Castlegar (5-4 and 5-2).
Nelson/Kaslo Midget Reps take to the road Friday for a tournament in Winfield.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
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