Hawks outlast Leafs 7-5 to grab 1-0 lead in Murdoch Semi Final
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Kyle Hope and Dylan Heppier each scored twice to lead the Beaver Valley Nitehawks to a 7-5 victory over the Nelson Leafs in the opening game of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League’s Murdoch Division Semi Final Tuesday night in Fruitvale.
The Hawks take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series with Game two Wednesday back at the Fruitvale Arena.
Hope and Heppier each scored in the opening frame as the Hawks built a 4-1 period lead and chased Leaf starting goalie Josh Williams from the game.
Patrick Ostermann replaced the former Alberta Junior Hockey League netminder after surrendering the Hawks’ third goal by Hope.
Tyler Hartman, finishing the game with three points, Jace Weegar and Blake Sidoni also scored for the Hawks, which led 5-3 after 40 minutes.
Kellan Olson also had three points for Beaver Valley while former Nelson Leaf Nolan Percival finished the game with two assists.
Brendan Smith, leading Nelson with three points, Nicholas Ketola, Rayce Miller, Matthew Sokol and Riley Swiscoski, called up from the Kootenay Ice of the BC Major Midget Hockey League, replied for the Leafs.
Beaver Valley out shot the Leafs in the game 49-43, including a 21-12 margin in the opening frame.
Brett Clark registered the win in goal for the Hawks.
Rebels take 1-0 lead on Border Bruins
In Castlegar, Carson Wornig scored an unassisted marker early in the third period to spark the hometown Rebels to a 3-1 win over Grand Forks Border Bruins in Murdoch Division Semi Final Tuesday.
Daniel Petten and Tayden Woods also scored for the Rebels.
Jordan Robertson replied for the Bruins.
Castlegar led 1-0 after one period before Robertson pulled the Bruins even after two frames.
Castlegar out shot the Bruins 35-30 making a winner out of netminder Logan Sawka.
