Big guns Walton, Delong lead Rebels past Leafs 4-1
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Castlegar Rebels sent a message right back to the Nelson Leafs, and it was the big guns leading the way.
Leading scorer Stuart Walton scored twice and Anthony Delong added a single to lead the Rebels to a 4-1 decision over the Nelson Leafs in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League action Saturday night in the Sunflower City.
“I thought we out-chanced them in the first period but we spent 10-minutes in the penalty box,” said Leaf coach Frank Maida.
Nelson out shot the Rebels 10-6 in the frame.
The win avenges a 6-2 loss Friday in Nelson and snaps a two-game losing skid for the Rebels.
But while the offensive threats for Castlegar shined during a four-goal explosion in the third period, it was netminder Conner Beauchamp sparkling throughout the contest between the pipes.
The Nanton, Alberta rookie constantly frustrated a Nelson team that held a considerable advantage in shots, out shooting the hosts 28-17.
Beauchamp’s play allowed the Castlegar snipers a little extra time to warm up — two periods to be exact.
Walton, kept off the score sheet Friday, started the onslaught on Leaf netminder Patrick Defoe 28 seconds into the third period.
Two power play goals by Delong and Walton increased the margin to 3-0 and sealed the contest for Castlegar, especially the way Beauchamp was playing.
Dallon Stoddart finally solved the Castlegar backstopper shortly after Walton’s second marker.
But Arthur Andrews restored the three-goal margin with an unassisted marker minutes later.
Castlegar, 32-10-1-2, climbs to within nine points of idle Beaver Valley Nitehawks. Each team has played 45 games.
The two teams meet next weekend in a home-and-home series that will not doubt confirm the Murdoch Division winner.
The Rebels, with seven games remaining in the regular season, has a date with Grand Forks and two home-and-home series with Nelson and Spokane.
The loss drops Nelson to 24-15-0-4.
The Leafs have nine games remaining in February — three against Grand Forks, two with both Castlegar and Beaver Valley and one each with Spokane and Golden.
Nelson plays Thursday in Grand Forks against the Bruins before returning for two home games — Friday and Sunday afternoon — against the Bruins and Spokane.
ICE CHIPS: A Mother Nature winter storm kept the crowd down Saturday in Castlegar. After more than 600 fans flocked to the NDCC Arena Friday, only 200-plus ventured out onto the roads for the return match between Castlegar and Nelson. . . .Castlegar goalie Jordan Gluck was not on the bench for Castlegar after receiving a one-game suspension for landing a game misconduct in the final 10 minutes of Friday’s game in Nelson.
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