The Nelson Leafs dominated the number one ranked Beaver Valley Nitehawks Friday defeating them 7-2 at home.
“Everybody played a really good, tight game, Defoe did some awesome goaltending, we did what our coach said and it paid off,” said Patrick Martens.
Opening the first of a home-and-home this weekend, the Leafs set to distance themselves from the Nitehawks quickly scoring three goals within just two minutes in the first period.
With Naka, Mois and Miller each with a mark on the board in the first period, the Nitehawks looked frustrated trying to bounce back, but made Leafs goaltender Patrick Defoe’s job look easy as their shots fired way off target.
However, in the second period the Leafs took six penalties — including a crowd pleaser from the Leafs’ Andrew Miller who dropped the gloves against a Beaver Valley opponent — allowing the Nitehawks to regain some ground and score their only two marks of the game, an answer to Nik Newman’s second period opening goal but not enough.
“While our second period wasn’t as strong, I thought we played two really good periods,” said Martens.
“We’re focusing on playing our game for a full 60 minutes and I think we’re getting closer to our goal.”
In the third, the Leafs continued their rock solid defensive play and locked out the noticably frustrated Nitehawks once more and adding another three marks.
“It’s pretty awesome to beat them, but it doesn’t mean anything yet, we still have to win our first round of playoffs and then give it to them in the second round,” said Martens.
“It was a big win and a big boost of confidence going into castlegar next weekend, so it feels good for us,” said Max Mois
The Leafs play their third game of the weekend Saturday night in Fruitvale against Beaver Valley.
