The Castlegar Rebels earned a much-needed come-from-behind victory Friday over the first-place Beaver Valley Nitehawks, but fell the next night against Golden despite badly outshooting the Rockets.
In Friday’s match, the Rebels were behind 1-0 after the first but Tyson Soobotin scored early in the second to tie the game. The Nitehawks regained the lead less than two minutes later, but Griffen Ryden tied things back up for Castlegar.
In the third period, Tyren Grimsdale gave Castlegar a 3-2 lead with less than five minutes remaining. Ryden then scored his second goal into an empty net with nine seconds remaining to seal a 4-2 victory for the Rebels. Elijah Havers had two assists while Ethan Lawczynski stopped 39 of 41 shots.
Castlegar fired 26 shots in the other direction.
On Saturday, Cody Quinton opened the scoring on the power play for Castlegar, but Golden stormed back with three unanswered goals to make it 3-1 after the first.
The teams traded goals in the second, with Castlegar’s marker coming from Frazier Mohler. Golden added to their lead in the third while Quinton notched his second for the Rebels. The Rockets added an empty netter and skated away with a 6-3 win.
Dawson Rattai made 29 saves for the Rebels, who outshot Golden 53-35.
The Rebels are now 10-20-0-6 and sit in the Neil Murdoch Division basement, one point back of Grand Forks although they have three games in hand. Their next action is Friday in Osoyoos, Sunday in Spokane, and Tuesday in Beaver Valley. They finally return home Jan. 31 to face Nelson.
