Nelson Leafs lose to Nitehawks in first of home-and-home series
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The Nelson Leafs lost 5-2 in Beaver Valley Friday night. It was a tough loss that puts the league leading team just one point up on Castlegar heading into Saturday night action.
The Nitehawks got on the scoreboard first with Ryan Edwards putting it by Leafs net minder Marcus Beesley. It was an unassisted shorthanded goal with 8:90 left in the first. Michael Bell made it 2-0 with help from Keenan Patershuk and Kurt Black with 5:55 left in the period.
The Leafs came back early in the second with a goal from Colton Schell, assisted by Aaron Dunlap just over two minutes into play at the Fruitvale arena.
But barely two minutes later, Dallas Calvin scored a goal for the Nitehawks. Ryan Edwards and Nick Perez assisted. Patershuk scored again for the Neil Murdock Division rivals giving him a three point night and first star of the game. Calvin and Derek Lashuk assisted on the goal making it 4-1.
With 4:37 left in the second, Dustim Reimer keeps the Leafs in the game with help from Carson Willans and Robson Cramer.
The only goal of the third came in the final seconds as the Leafs pulled their goalie. The Nitehawks Danny Vlanich put it in the empty net.
Despite the 5-2 loss, the Leafs remain on top of the Neil Murdoch division as Castlegar Rebels also lost on Friday night. The Columbia Valley Rockies beat them 3-2 in double overtime. The Leafs are now tied with
North Okanagan in the league but remain on top with the tie advantage. Okanagan has more overtime losses.
Tonight, the Leafs will play the Nitehawks on home ice while Castlegar, just one point back with a game advantage, plays Golden. The game starts a half hour late to accommodate figure skating. Puck drops at 7:30 p.m. and the Leafs are hosting the West Kootenay chapter of the MS Society.
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