Nelson shut out in Armstrong
The Nelson Junior Leafs ran out of gas Sunday in Armstrong, finishing a three-game western road trip with a 3-0 loss to the North Okanagan Knights.
After wins in Chase and Kamloops to start the swing, the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League’s first place Leafs took on the league’s fourth place squad.
The Knights tallied first midway through the opening frame when Steven Pantazopoulous beat Nelson starter Brett Soles.
Both teams exchanged chances for the rest of the first and the entire second period, but no goals were scored. Soles was particularly strong in the middle frame, turning away 16 North Okanagan shots.
Five minutes into the third period, Mac Ferner scored to make it 2-0 for the hosts. Four minutes later Curtis Sexsmith gave the Knights a 3-0 cushion.
Though the Leafs outshot the Knights 10-5 in the final frame, the locals could not solve Knights’ goalie Austin Buzzell who earned the shutout.
With Castlegar and Beaver Valley charging, the Leafs have managed to hold onto top spot in the league. Nelson and Castlegar are tied in points, but the Leafs have more wins.
Nelson returns home on Friday when they will host the Columbia Valley Rockies at the Nelson and District Community Complex. Game time is 7 p.m.
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