The Nelson Leafs’ late-season slide continued Friday.
The Columbia Rockies scored four unanswered goals to beat the Leafs 5-3 in Invermere.
Mike Dyck scored twice for the Rockies (14-26-4), while Chase Hawkins, Riley Knott and Davin Burton also scored. Hawkins finished with a four-point night after assisting on three goals.
Rockies goaltender Ben Keisch meanwhile had 36 saves.
Mason Mullaney, Logan Wullum, who scored short-handed, and Jack Karran replied for the Leafs (18-21-5), while Devin Allen stopped 29 shots.
The Leafs seem destined to play first-place Beaver Valley in the first round of the playoffs. Either another Nelson loss, a Grand Forks win or two ties by the Border Bruins will mean the Leafs finish fourth in the Neil Murdoch Division.
Nelson next visits Fernie on Saturday night.
