Rebels book ticket to Murdoch Final with Game six win over Spokane
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Spokane Braves gave the Rebels everything they had but, in the end, it’s the Sunflower City franchise going on to the Murdoch Division Final.
Jeremy McNeil scored two third-period goals to spark the Rebels to a 4-2 victory over the Braves in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League playoff action Friday night in the Lilac City.
Castlegar wins the best-of-seven series 4-2 and now face the defending KIJHL champs from Beaver Valley in the Murdoch Final.
The series begins Monday in Fruitvale.
Castlegar opened the scoring in the first period on a goal by Tyler Barrett.
Danton Oliver and Paxton Malone scored in the second period to give the home side a 2-1 lead.
However, before the period ended Aaron Petten scored to even the score after 40 minutes.
The game appeared to be head for overtime when McNeil scored the winner with 3:30 remaining in regulation time.
McNeill added an insurance goal with time running out.
Castlegar finished 10 points behind the Hawks in Murdoch standings.
Beaver Valley won two of the last three games the teams played during the regular season.
In the Eddie Mountain Division, Fernie Ghostriders host Kimberley Dynamiters in the first game of the best-of-seven series beginning Sunday in Fernie.
In the Okanagan Shuswap Conference, the 100 Mile House Wranglers travel to Kamloops for Game one of the divisional semi final Monday while the Osoyoos Coyotes wait for the winner of the Kamloops Chiefs/Summerland Steam series.
The series is tied 3-3 with Game seven Saturday night in Summerland.
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