No room for error as Leafs open Murdoch Final against Hawks
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Nelson Leafs had better realize, and quick, the bullet the team just dodged in the Murdoch Division semi final series against the Spokane Braves.
The Leafs needed six games to dispose of the American-based squad, thanks to two ugly losses at home when the players failed to show up at the arena.
However, there is no room for error when the Beaver Valley Nitehawks open the best-of-seven Kootenay International Junior Hockey League Divisional Final Friday at the NDCC Arena.
The Hawks swept through the defending KIJHL champion Castlegar Rebels like a sharp chainsaw through a cut of cedar, needing only four games to advance down the playoff trail.
And the Hawks would like nothing better than to continue its playoff roll against the Leafs.
“We’ve got to be ready when the puck drops,” Leaf coach Frank Maida said Thursday.
“We have to come out focused on playing our game for 60 minutes and not looking at anything other than playing period by period,” Maida added.
Not much to choose from between Leafs and Hawks
The long anticipated Murdoch Final between Nelson and Beaver Valley has been in the works since September when the teams opened training camp.
Nelson threw down the challenge after being eliminated the past three seasons by Beaver Valley when Leaf coach Frank Maida stole snipers Jamie Vlanich and Travis Wellman from the Castlegar Rebels during the offseason.
The Hawks countered with the likes of Ryan Edwards and Dallas Calvin returning to Beaver Valley to take their own run at a berth in the Cyclone Taylor Cup, which just happens to be hosted in Nelson April 10-13.
Nelson (81 points) won the Murdoch Division title by a single point over Beaver Valley (80 points) as the teams traded places atop the standings and the teams splitting the season series 4-4.
Ironically, after Nelson edged the Hawks 2-1 in overtime in the season finale, the teams are tied in goals at 27-27.
Also, each team won in the other’s rink.
Vlanich status still doubtful to start series
While the Hawks are rolling on all cylinders — out scoring Castlegar 24-10 — the Leafs are struggling to put a healthy team on the ice.
The KIJHL’s leading scorer, Leaf center Jamie Vlanich, has yet to play in the playoffs after suffering an upper body injury February 14 against Grand Forks.
Leaf coach Frank Maida said Nelson’s leading scorer is listed as “day-to-day”, but will play at some time in the series.
Adam Hodge, Troy Petrick and Quinn Kimchuk, all missing some time during the Spokane series, have been cleared to play against the Hawks.
Leafs thin in goal after Maida, Rebagliati suffer injuries
The same can’t be said in the Leaf goal as both Brad Rebagliati and Adam Maida are on the shelf when the puck drops Friday.
Rebagliati has also been out of the lineup since playoffs started, and has been tabbed with the “day-to-day” status by the head coach and GM.
Maida, however, it’s a different story as the Nelson Minor Hockey grad contemplates surgery to deal with an injured knee.
That leaves rookie Jason Mailhoit between the pipes when the team open the series.
Mailhoit, powering Nelson to the series-clinching win Tuesday in Spokane, played all season for the Kootenay Ice of the BC Major Midget Hockey League.
Mailhoit’s back up is still not been determined as Leafs await a BC Hockey decision on the status of the team’s goaltending situation.
Rebels goalie Patrick Zubick was Mailhoit’s back up in the final game against the Braves.
Murdoch series schedule
Game one of the series goes Friday in Nelson with Game two back at the NDCC Arena Saturday. Game time is 7 p.m.
The series shifts to Fruitvale Monday and Tuesday for Games three and four. Game time at the Hawks nest is 7 p.m.
If necessary, the teams are back in Nelson Thursday for Game five.
Game six is in Fruitvale at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 14 with the all-important, Game seven set for Saturday, March 15, at the NDCC Arena.
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