Leaf killer Scott Morriseau sinks Nelson in OT, Rebels one game away from advancing to Murdoch Final
By The Nelson Daily Sports
By Bruce Fuhr, The Nelson Daily
Man that’s playoff hockey — not!
In a game that most definitely had coaches Frank Maida and Steve Junker searching the trainer’s room for bottles of Alka-Seltzer to help cure strong cases of acid indigestion, the Castlegar Rebels somehow managed to pull out a 7-6 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League overtime victory Tuesday night at the NDCC Arena.
Scott Morriseau, scoring his sixth of the series, won the game in the final minutes of the first overtime period.
“I don’t know about that one,” Morriseau responded when asked about if he’s the newest Leaf killer, “but things are definitely going my way right now.”
Morriseau deflected a Riley Henderson point shot past a surprised Andrew Walton to give the Rebels a commanding 3-1 lead in the Murdoch Division semi final.
Castlegar can eliminate the Leafs from the post-season and advance down the playoff trail against the winner of the Beaver Valley/Spokane series with a win Thursday in the Sunflower City.
“I just decided to go straight to the net and luckily the puck went off my stick and into the net,” said Morriseau, describing the game-winner at the 8:55 mark of overtime.
The contest did not go according to textbook for both teams.
Two teams that combined for 17 goals in three games — only three in game two— scored nine in the opening 20 minutes Tuesday.
After building a 2-0 lead on goals by Brendan Heinrich and Stuart Walton 39 seconds apart, the teams traded volleys until Nick Newman finished off the scoring in the final minute of the frame.
“We’re not a team that gives up that many goals, especially in the first period,” Morriseau said. “Obviously we talked about that and we have to bare down to next game.”
Despite struggling with defensive zone coverage the Leafs battled back — tying the game on a goal by Patrick Martens with 35 seconds remaining in the third period — and had two or three chances to win the game in the extra period.
Nelson now must win three straight games to avoid being eliminated in the first round for the second straight year.
“It’s depressing,” said Leaf forward Colton Schell
“Everyone is taking it hard in the dressing room. We really needed this game.”
The game was a career night for Castlegar rookie Brendan Heinrich, who finished the game with two goals and three assists.
Morriseau added had four points while Henderson, Tyler Robinson, Connor Bowen also scored for Castlegar.
Max Mois, having a bounce-back game as he continually pounded the Castlegar defence with several crushing bodychecks, Matthew Naka, J.J. Beitel and Carsen Willans, scoring his first career playoff goal, completed the Nelson scoring.
Nelson out shot Castlegar by a 44-32 count, including an 18-4 margin in the third period.
“It seems (Castlegar) is a way more energized on the bench then we are . . . everyone yelling after big hits, goal or back check,” Schell explained. “Our guys are a lot more quiet . . . we don’t have that many leaders on our team.”
Game time Thursday is 7:30 p.m.
GAME NOTES: One of the leaders not in the game Schell was talking about was team captain, Tyler Parfeniuk, who along with Walker Sidoni, missed the game due to sickness. Parfeniuk is hopeful to be back in the lineup for game five Thursday while Sidoni is most likely done for the playoffs. . . .The loss of Parfeniuk and Sidoni forced forward Cameron Dobransky back to the blue line core and allowed James Sorrey his first taste of the playoffs after being scratched from the first three games of the series. . . .Aaron Brewer left game in second period after taking a hit by Dallon Stoddart behind Castlegar net. . . .Nelson survived a two-man disadvantage in the second period. . . .Nelson lost the services of Nick Newman five minutes into the third after being checked to into the boards by Braydon Horcoff, who was given a five-minute major. Newman did return after being attended by the Leaf training staff. . . .Branden Amatto stopped 49 of 51 shots to lead the Spokane Braves to a 3-2 win over Beaver Valley Nitehawks. The Hawks lead the series 3-1 and can eliminate the Braves Thursday in Fruitvale.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
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