The Nelson Junior Leafs dug themselves a first period hole in Creston on Friday night and failed to crawl out, losing 5-2 to the Thunder Cats.
Creston came out firing in the opening period scoring three goals, including two on the powerplay. Scott Butters opened the scoring midway through the period when he beat Leafs’ starter Andrew Walton. Scott Swiston and Trevor Forward added to the lead with powerplay markers.
The Leafs responded eight minutes into the second period when Colton Schell cut the deficit to 3-1 when he beat Tyler Moffat.
Penalty problems again haunted the Leafs a couple minutes later when Brandon Formosa capitalized on the powerplay to regain Creston’s three goal lead. Before the second period ended Swiston added his second goal of the game to increase the host’s lead to 5-1.
The Leafs outshot Creston in the third period 14-8, but only Dallon Stoddart was able to tally.
The Leafs travel to Fruitvale tonight to take on the Beaver Valley Nitehawks in what will be a battle for first place in the Neil Murdoch Division. The Nitehawks currently sit one point behind the first place Leafs.