Postgame: Leafs - 3 Nitehawks - 5

In a pivotal 4 point game that could see either Nelson pull within 2 or have Beaver Valley pad their lead, Leaf fans were ecstatic to see Nelson jump out to a very quick 2-0 lead on goals by James Sorrey and Brett Norman just a mere :40 seconds apart early in the first. Both goals were completely against the flow of the game as BV had controlled the puck for the majority up to that point but couldnt solve Leaf goalie Andrew Walton. Craig Martin finally got BV rolling 3 mins later on a 2-on-1 getting his own rebound and snapping it past Walton shorthanded. Nelson would get that one back on the same pp from Colton Schell to lead 3-1 before the game is 10 mins old. The remainder of the opening period was remarkably uneventful although BV controlled a lot of the play but couldnt "finish" in front, or get the rubber to Walton. Nelson either blocked, or intercepted most of BV's chances in front.

The second period took up where the first left off, with BV out-working and out-hitting Nelson but still unable to generate much in the name of offense towards the net. That didn't stop them from pushing and were rewarded 6 mins in on a Chris Derochie goal from Ryan Edwards and d-man Nick Perez. The Nitehawks tied it up with 2:09 left on a weird play. Justin Niminiken lead a 2-on-1 and fed a hot pass over to Mason Spear who didnt have his stick set right and so the puck was tipped up and over the net. It was then that it got weird, the puck bounced BACK and hit goalie Andrew Walton in the back and trickled in. Sometimes you just have to be lucky!! That allowed BV to exit the 2nd on a positive note with the score knotted at 3.

Odd man rushes were the norm tonight as both teams pinched in and pushed for the go-ahead goal. The score remained tied for most of the period until another 2-on-1 lead by Tyler (Philly) Collins who threaded a pass through the defender over to Max Flanagan who made no mistake and put his team up for the first time on the night. Ryan Edwards would add an empty-netter with 1:02 to play to complete the comeback and seal the win.

Game Stars:

BV - Chris Derochie 1G, 1A
BV - Nick Perez 1A
BV - Brantley Schapansky

Next game is on Friday November 25 at the Golden Arena in Golden and then the following night in Invermere to face the Columbia Valley Rockies where Beaver Valley hopes to add onto their current 5-game win streak.

Pub Night - Next Nitehawk home game is on December 3. Team President Dennis Bedin is inviting all to the Fruitvale Pub after the game. Further details to come......so stay tuned!!

Again, a special thanks to fellow "reporters" Adam Kamara (Nelson's 103.5 The Bridge and Nelson Leafs play-by-play), and to Chris Wahl (Mountain FM and the Voice of the Trail Smoke Eaters) for joining me tonight.

Readers can follow Adam(@adamkamara) and Chris(@wahlsy) on twitter.


Around the KIJHL:

Spokane Braves beat Grand Forks 8-4, Golden defeats Columbia Valley 10-2, Castlegar held off Penticton 3-2, NO Knights score 3 late to edge Creston 5-4, Kamloops handled Chase 7-2, and it was Osoyoos over Kelowna 4-2