Hawks explode past Leafs, Bruins survive Thunder Cats attack
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Beaver Valley Nitehawks exploded for three goals in less than two minutes to dump the Nelson Leafs 5-2 in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League action Friday night in Fruitvale.
The victory avenges a 3-2 overtime loss to Nelson in a game the Hawks owned a 2-0 advantage.
Tyler Hartman and Damon Kramer scored power play goals in span of 27 seconds to snap a 2-2 tie during the wild second period for the Hawks.
Devin Ghirardosi complete the scoring just over a minute later for Beaver Valley.
Nelson, trailing 2-1 after one period, evened the score at 2-2 on a goal by Jack Karran.
Sam Swanson and Dylan Heppler scored in the first period for Beaver Valley, winners to two straight games.
Andy Fitzpatrick completed the scoring for Nelson.
Rookie netminder Josh Bolding face 34 shots as the Leafs coaching staff continues to look for the right parts in goal.
Tallon Kramer, stopping 30 of 32 shots, won for the fourth in in the nets for Beaver Valley.
The win moved Beaver Valley into a first place tie in the Murdoch Division with Grand Forks.
The Border Bruins escaped a test in the East Kootenay against Creston, surviving the Thunder Cats with 5-5 tie.
Silas Johnson scored with four minutes remaining in the game to pull the Bruins even.
Trey Mason, with a pair, Logan Klatt and Chad Grambo also scored for Grand Forks, undefeated in five games.
Sebastien Kilcommons paced the Thunder Cats with four points.
Bruins’ netminder Anthony Galliart was the busier of the two goalies, facing 44 shots.
In other Murdoch action, Castlegar lost 7-1 to Kimberley.
Castlegar returns to action Saturday in Nelson against the Leafs at 7 p.m. in the NDCC Arena.
Beaver Valley travels to Spokane while Grand Forks hosts Fernie Ghostriders at 7 p.m. in the Arena.
