Work-in-progress Leafs rally past Murdoch rival Castlegar 5-3
By The Nelson Daily Sports
For a team that just over a month ago didn’t have a coach, Leaf fans must feel pretty good after week one of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season.
Nelson exploded for three goals in a span of 134 seconds to rally past the Castlegar Rebels 5-3 in KIJHL Murdoch Division action Saturday night at the NDCC Arena.
The win, coupled with 3-3 tie Friday against Beaver Valley, lifts Nelson into sole possession of first place in Murdoch Division standings.
“Anytime you get the first win at home you’ve got to be happy,” said Leaf skipper Dave McLellan following the gritty win that saw the Leafs twice rally from two-goal deficits.
“It took a lot of contributions tonight . . .. Everyone’s working hard to get this going and it’s rewarding to get the win.”
The start may be something McLellan would like to focus on during the next team meeting.
Castlegar opened the scoring when Jeremy McNeill scored midway through the opening frame.
Then before the period ended Yannis Soukas made it 2-0 with a power play goal.
It took Nelson 32 minutes to solve Patrick Zubick in the Castlegar nets. Nolan Percival, the game’s first star, managed to get Nelson on the scoreboard with an even-strength marker.
But Aaron Petten restored Castlegar’s two-goal lead, beating Brett Soles in the Leaf nets by converting a rebound.
However, the Leafs once again cut the lead to a single goal when Aaron Dunlap scored on the power play by tapping in a loose puck to in the final seconds of the middle period.
The goal came compliments of a lapse in judgment by Mike Bhatoa who took exception to a clean hit near the Castlegar bench, which led to a roughing penalty.
In the third Nelson jumped all over the Rebels.
Matt MacDonald tied the game before Darnel St. Pierre ripped a point shot past Zubick.
Forty seconds later Robson Cramer added some insurance with another blast from the left faceoff circle Zubick had not chance of stopping.
“Tonight we had really good contribution from the whole team from the goaltender out . . .,” McLellan said.
“It’s not an ideal game for my liking,” McLellan added. “We were really strong defensively overall for a while . . . (but) we got caught pinching all over the ice but it’s all stuff we can fix.
“We talked to the guys after the game and a couple of the goals we’re really our mistakes and not something they did and as a coach we can make it better.”
Nelson, which out shot Castlegar 40-36 in the game, returns to action next Friday when the club travels to Fruitvale to meet the Hawks.
ICE CHIPS: Leafs dressed 17 players against Castlegar by design said McLellan. The Leaf coach said the club is awaiting cuts from the Junior A to fill out the balance of the roster . . . Aaron Dunlap had the “C” on his jersey with last year’s captain Darnel St. Pierre, Patrick Croome and Robson Cramer serving as assistants. . . . The last time Patrick Zubick played in the NDCC Arena he was a member of the Leafs during the Murdoch Division Finals against Beaver Valley. Zubick was called on to play goal after both Nelson netminders were hurt. . . . 100 Mile House spoiled banner night in Fruitvale as the Wranglers edged Beaver Valley 4-3. 100 Mile House rallied from a 3-1 deficit to steal the victory. . . . Friday night at the NDCC Arena during Nelson’s home-opener against Beaver Valley, the game was delayed 20 minutes after one of the pieces of glass was broked during the warm-up. Then early in the game BC Ambulance was called after Nico Sidoni was hammered into the boards. Sidoni was taken to Kootenay Lake Hospital, but was later released. . . . Nelson Leafs season tickets will be on sale during games at the NDCC Arena.
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