The Nelson Leafs are back on track after winning in Spokane Sunday.
Despite the Braves leading in the first on a goal by Mason Jones, the Leafs took the game 4-1 and outshot their southern opponents 46 to 19.
“The team started slow,” said assistant coach Greg Andrusak, who was filling in for head coach David McLellan who was away at a league meeting. “But the boys rebounded and took took over in the second, which was evident with the shots on goal.”
Leaf Andy Fitzpatrick brought the score to a 1-1 tie less than a minute into the second. It wasn’t until the third period that Aigne McGeady-Bruce put the Leafs ahead 2-1. Eamonn Miller added another goal on a power play and Jordan Davie scored the fourth goal into the Braves’ empty net with 11 seconds left.
Andrusak said there was good effort by Austin Anselmo on defense while Fitzpatrick, Levi Hulston and Blair Andrews were the best line of the night. Andrusak credited Leaf goalie Joe Barton as well.
“Barton was solid. He only let one goal in the first and it wasn’t his fault,” said Andrusak. “There was a bad defensive breakdown.”
The Leafs sit in the middle of the Neil Murdoch division with 24 points, three points behind the Castlegar Rebels. The Beaver Valley Nitehawks continue to rule the division roost with 29 points.
The Leafs hit the road again Friday to play the Creston Valley Thunder Cats before heading back to home ice to face off the Grand Forks Border Bruins.
