Walton's heroics not enough as Fernie Ghostriders steal 3-2 overtime victory over Nelson Leafs
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Now that Nelson’s top offensive threat Patrick Martens has gone the way of Junior A — after signing earlier this week with the Langley Rivermen — the Leafs will look to another Kootenay International Junior Hockey League All Star to carry the weight of the team.
Goalie Andrew Walton came close to packing the Leafs on his back, stopping all but three shots fired at him by the Fernie Ghostriders.
However, the third shot proved to be the back breaker as Zach Traverse scored a power play marker with two minutes remaining in the first overtime period to spark the Riders to a 3-2 victory over the Leafs Thursday in the East Kootenay City.
Facing this former Rider teammates for the first time since the Castlegar native led Fernie to the Cyclone Taylor Cup Final in April, Walton looked every bit like the game breaker Nelson traded for during the off season.
Fernie out shot the Leafs 12-3 in the opening period and took a 2-0 lead on goals by Brendon Mangone and an extra-man marker by Austin Evans.
But that would be all the scoring the Riders could manage on Walton during regulation time as the 20-year-old backstopper nailed the door shut despite Nelson being out shot 21-13 during the next 40 minutes.
The stellar play by Walton gave Nelson a chance to get back in the game and the Leafs managed the feat with a second period goal by Colton Malmsten on the power play and Max Mois with six minute remaining in the third.
The overtime loss concludes a six-game stint away from home for Nelson, finishing the away schedule with a 1-4-0-1 mark.
The Leafs, falling to 13-8-0-2, return home Saturday to face winless Grand Forks Border Bruins at 7 p.m. in the NDCC Arena. The Bruins lost 14-2 to Beaver Valley Thursday.
The win increases Beaver Valley’s lead to four points over Nelson in Murdoch standings.
The Leafs are two points in front of third place Castlegar Rebels, idle Thursday. Castlegar has played four fewer games then Nelson.
ICE CHIPS: Andrew Walton was named the game’s first star. . . .The Leafs dipped into the minor hockey leagues to bolster the defence as Cole Arcuri was called up for the game in Fernie. The call-up was due to a rash of injuries to the defence . . . The game also saw the debut of two recent additions for Nelson on the blueline, Eric Spring and J.J. Beitel. Spring came to Nelson in a trade from Kelowna Chiefs while Beitel was signed after being released from Trail Smoke Eaters of the BCHL. Beitel registered an assist on the goal by Max Mois.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
Comments