First responders get in free, playoffs start next Tuesday
The Nelson Leafs will look to re-prime their pre-playoff pumps with two at-home matches this
Friday and Saturday.
Coming off a loss to the Castlegar Rebels that ended a 12-game winning streak last Friday, the
Leafs host the Beaver Valley Nighthawks Friday, and the Grand Forks Border Bruins Saturday.
The club is offering regional First Responders free tickets to both games.
“The Nelson Leafs Hockey Club wants to celebrate the hard-working people who keep us healthy
and safe during difficult times,” says Leafs’ president Corey Vialla.
Firefighters, police officers, EMTs and paramedics, doctors and nurses, Interior Health and
Mountain Lake staff get in free with their personal ID cards, at either game.
“The Leafs want to celebrate the hard-working people who keep us healthy and safe during
difficult times,” Vialla adds.
The Leafs have clinched a playoff berth, and the Neil Murdoch Division, with 29 wins and 10
losses, for 59 points. The Nitehawks are second with 46 points. The Creston Valley Thundercats,
who were bumped over to the Murdoch Division from the Eddie Mountain Division to facilitate the
playoff schedule, are third with 39 points. The Rebels are fourth with 34.
Regardless of the weekend’s outcomes, Nelson will meet the Rebels in the first round of the
playoffs.
Game one goes Tuesday night. Game two is Wednesday.
“We really like the way the team has bought into their roles, and the systems, says Adam DiBella,
“the players are giving their best effort every night.”
Dibella says the Leafs’ win streak started with the team’s leadership groups, which includes a
number of locals.
“When they lead you have to follow,” says DiBella, “or you get left behind.”
Goalie Tenzin Mint, forward Joe Davidson and defenceman Bryce Sookro — all graduates of
Nelson Minor Hockey — have had terrific seasons. Davidson and Sookro are one-two in points
for the club.
The Leafs roster also includes Nelson Minor Hockey grads Rhett Hamilton and Seamus Boyd,
both forwards, and defencemen Dylan Mowery and Reid Vulcano.
