Simon Nemethy had a hat trick as the Nelson Leafs beat the Rebels in Castlegar 5-3 on Friday.
Nemethy’s empty-net, shorthanded goal in the dying seconds of the third period capped a dominant night by the Leafs, who fired 55 shots at the Rebels.
Ryland Mennie and Bryden Pow also scored for Nelson (3-3-1), while goaltender Dylan Marshall stopped 25 shots.
Jacob Moldenhauer, Griffen Ryden and Ethan Aebly replied for the Rebels (2-4-1), with goaltender Ryder Graham being forced to make 50 saves.
Nelson next hosts the Columbia Valley Rockies on Friday before visiting the Grand Forks Border Bruins on Saturday.