Leafs rout Bruins to remain on top of Murdoch tied with Beaver Valley
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Grand Forks Border Bruins have already made great strides during the early stages of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season.
However, it’s back to the drawing board for the Bruins after the Nelson Leafs rocked the Boundary squad 5-1 in KIJHL Murdoch Division action Saturday night at the NDCC.
The Leafs dominated the Bruins for two periods, building a 4-0 lead after 40 minutes before coasting to the divisional matchup win.
“I think this was the first time this season where we played a full 60 minutes,” said Leaf defenceman Robson Cramer after the Green and White passed its first challenge of the season.
“The team is finally jelling now but we want to keep going.”
Nelson jumped all over the Bruins, out shooting the Boundary franchise 14-5 in the first frame and 27-11 through 40 minutes.
The KIJHL’s goal scoring leader, Travis Wellman, led the offence with the natural hat trick after Tyler Garcia opened the scoring for Nelson.
Wellman has 11 goals in five games for Nelson.
“This was a good test to see where we are compared to one of the better teams in the league but it appears we’re not there yet,” said Grand Forks skipper Nick Deschenes, who has done a magnificent job changing the culture in the Boundary City.
“We’re about a full year younger than that (Leafs) team,” Deschenes added. “We fell behind early but I thought we played pretty well in the third period.”
Nelson’s player-of-the-game Jamie Vlanich completed the scoring for the Leafs on the power play, with his fourth point of the game.
Jackson Purvis spoiled the shutout bid for a shutout by Nelson netminder Tyler Moffat with a power play marker midway through the third period.
The Leafs remained perfect in September after beginning the weekend with a 4-3 win Friday in Spokane.
“These wins were big because they’re four-point games within the division and it will definitely be important to have them later in the season,” Cramer explained.
Nelson, finishing the game out shooting Grand Forks 37-22, remains tied for top spot in the Murdoch Division with Beaver Valley Nitehawks.
The Hawks completed a weekend sweep of the Castlegar Rebels with a 4-3 victory Saturday in Fruitvale.
A goal by Taylor Stafford late in the third period proved to be the winner for the Hawks.
Ryan Edwards, Michael Bell and Sheldon Hubbard also scored for Beaver Valley.
Former Nelson Leaf Seth Schmidt, Aaron Brewer and Diego Bartlett — all three goals coming on the power play — replied for the Rebels.
Nelson hosts a pair of games against Eddie Mountain teams beginning Friday when Columbia Valley Rockies travel to the Heritage City.
Saturday, the Leafs meet Kimberley Dynamiters.
Both games have a 7 p.m. puck drop.
OVERTIME: The Leafs took to the ice Saturday sporting the road Green jerseys. . . . October promises to be a big test for Nelson as the squad plays five Murdoch Division games — two each against divisional powers Castlegar and Beaver Valley. . . . Leaf sniper Jamie Vlanich currently sits second in league scoring with 15 points. Teammate Travis Wellman is tied for fourth with 12 points, but leads the league with 11 goals. . . . Grand Forks goalie Kai McDonald, with roots in Nelson as his father Murray played hockey in the Heritage City, was busy stopping 32 of 37 shots.
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