Leafs clinch top spot in division, but look to three critical final regular season games

Nelson — Three games and counting.

The Nelson’s Leafs regular season is winding down with a promising roar. But the pressure’s on.

The Leafs are on a 12-game winning streak, following Wednesday night’s 4-1 win over the
Castlegar Rebels at the Nelson Community Complex.

“We ramped up our intensity as the game progressed,” says coach Adam DiBella, “and we were
led offensively by the Pow/Anklewich/Noble line.”

DiBella notes that goaltender Tenzin Mint was “rock solid and calm” in Wednesday’s game.

“That gave the team confidence, we were slow getting going in the first period.”

Mint’s play has been a key to the Leaf’s winning streak, having played most of the games.

The Leafs are 100% healthy heading into the final 3 games of the season.

The Leafs have a game tonight in Castlegar, then they’re back home against Beaver Valley
Friday, February 18 and the Grand Forks Border Bruins Saturday, February 19.

DiBella says despite the team’s lock on first place in the Neil Murdoch Division, the next three
games are crucial.

“We’re battling for first place in the conference,” he says, “which would give us home ice
advantage in third round, should we make it that far.”

The Leafs are tied with the Columbia Valley Rockies for first in the conference.

Both teams have 59 points.

The Kimberley Dynamiters in right behind both clubs with 56 points.