KIJHL gets it right after Leafs appeal suspensions
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League has never been big on promoting itself.
However, league governors should be pleased to give themselves a pat on the back after correcting original suspensions following a January 29th game at the NDCC Arena between Nelson and Castlegar.
Following the penalty-filled contest, as many as three Leafs had suspensions posted on the KIJHL website.
However, after the Leafs appealed the rulings, the KIJHL, in consultation with BC Hockey Referee in chief Sean Rapheal, reversed the original decisions thanks to the beauty of having all games video taped by the home club.
“The appeal process (was handled by) Referee in Chief, Sean Rapheal,” Neil Murdoch Vice-president Larry Martel said in an email.
“He reviewed video from the game and overturned two of the calls.”
Martel said the call to Leafs Levi Hulston and Castlegar’s Tyler Barrett were deemed correct.
However, video revealed the calls to Matthew Sokol of Nelson as the instigator in a fight with Daniel Petten to be incorrect.
“Sokol should have had a kneeing call that was missed but video shows Petten was the instigator not Sokol,” Martel explained.
Martel also said in the fight between Rayce Miller of Nelson and Barrett, the scoresheet was changed to add instigator to Barrett.
“The changes in the instigators therefore change the suspension as per the Junior B supplement,” Martel said.
“Two of the three fighting majors and instigator calls were overturned by the referee in Chief Sean Rapheal, (with) BC Hockey,” Martel added.
All three Leafs players were in the lineup for Friday’s game against Castlegar, a contest won 5-3 by Nelson.
One step forward, two back for Leafs
The on-again, off-again, Nelson Leafs, well, took a step back after dropping a 4-3 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League decision to the Spokane Braves Saturday in the Lilac City.
The setback comes after the team played one of its best games of the season Friday against rival Castlegar Rebels at the NDCC Arena.
Nelson captain Rayce Miller scored twice and added an assist to lead the Leafs past the Rebels 5-3.
Kurtis Redding rained on the Leafs parade Saturday, scoring two goals in the third period to snap a 2-2 tie.
Miller scored a power play marker late in the frame but Nelson was unable to find the equalizer.
Kyle Donaldson and Paxton Malone also scored for the Braves.
Blair Andrews and Levi Hulston replied for Nelson.
Spokane was the better team in the third period, firing 20 shots at Friday Hulston, Brendan Smith and Miller scored in the first period to give the Leafs a commanding 3-1 lead.
Ed Lindsey cut the margin to 3-2 early in the second period but Miller and Andrews restored the lead.
Lindsey and Tayden Woods also scored for Castlegar.
Nelson, 18-25-0-0-2, returns to action Tuesday with a road date in Fruitvale against the Nitehawks.
The game is the first of four games in six days for the Leafs as the Green and White plays out the KIJHL 2015-16 regular season.
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