Castlegar's Brewer sinks Leafs 6-5 in OT
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The question before Wednesday’s Kootenay International Junior Hockey League clash between West Kootenay rivals Nelson and Castlegar was which Leaf team would show up.
Well, Leaf fans were happy to see the Green and White squad of old take to the ice at the NDCC Arena.
The problem for Nelson was, so did the defending KIJHL champs from Castlegar.
The Rebels, still smarting from a 9-0 drubbing five days ago, started slow but rallied to edge the Leafs 6-5 in double overtime Wednesday in Murdoch Division action in Nelson.
Aaron Brewer scored in the final minute of the second overtime period to send the Leafs packing for the second straight time on home ice.
The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Rebels — a string where Castlegar was out scored 21-5 by the opposition.
Nelson started fast, building a 3-0 lead 18 minutes into the opening period on goals by Linden Horswill and Travis Wellman with a pair of power play markers.
But a goal in the final 40 seconds of the period by Aaron Petten gave the Rebels new life.
Connor Beahchemin and Darren Medeiros, the latter coming again in the final minute of the period, tied the game for Castlegar.
In the third the teams traded goals with Alec Wikinson giving Nelson a 4-3 lead before Derek Georgopoulos and Diego Bartlett put the Rebels back in front.
Jamie Vlanich tied the game sending the contest into extra time.
Nelson out shot the Rebels 37-35.
Nate Rabbit out dueled Brad Rebagliati in goal to grab the win for Castlegar.
Nelson, 32-8-1-4, once again squandered a chance to take over top spot in the Murdoch Division. The Leafs are now tied with Beaver Valley after the Hawks lost Tuesday to Creston.
Meanwhile the Rebels put a little more distance between third place and the hard-charging Spokane Braves. Castlegar leads Spokane by three points.
Nelson, losers of three of the last five games, travel to Spokane to face the Braves Friday while Castlegar travels to Creston Friday.
OVERTIME: The KIJHL’s leading scorer, Jamie Vlanich extended his lead on Nick Josephs to nine points after totalling three points Wednesday. Teammate Travis Wellman also had three points. Alec Wikinson and Linden Horswill each had two points. . . .Connor Beahchemin, Diego Bartlett, Derek Georgopoulos and Jeremy McNeill each finished the game with two points for Castlegar. . . . Nelson welcomed back defenceman Austin Seaman to the roster. The Calgary native has been out of the lineup since December 6 due to a leg injury. . . . Leaf captain Darnel St. Pierre missed his second game due to suspension. St. Pierre is expected to be back in the lineup Friday against Spokane. Leafs Kyle Clayton played his first game for Nelson on the blueline.
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