The Beaver Valley Nitehawks lost two of a three-game divisional swing on the weekend, ending with a 5-4 loss to the surprising Spokane Braves on Sunday.
The Nitehawks jumped out to a 3-0 first-period lead, but the Braves battled back on their home ice, and eventually won its third game on a goal from Tobin Mikkelsen 5:18 into the third period.
The Hawks went 1-2 versus its Neil Murdoch division rivals on the weekend, losing 4-1 to the Grand Forks Border Bruins on Friday at the Hawks Nest, before travelling to Nelson Saturday where they beat the Leafs handily 6-2, before losing to Spokane 5-4 on Sunday.
The Nitehawks held a 9-1 record in its last 10 against Spokane going into the game, with two wins of 10-0 and 6-2 so far this season.
B.V. jumped out to a 3-0 lead on goals from Rossland products Jonas Bourchier and Ollie Clement, along with Trail's own Joel Smyth.
However, three straight goals from Spokane tied it, before Nitehawks defenceman Simon Mendiola made it 4-3.
Spokane forward Cameron Oien made it 4-4, and Mikkelsen notched his second of the season for the game winner 5:18 into the third for the 5-4 victory.
With the loss the Nitehawks fall to 15-6-2-0 but remain in first place in the Neil Murdoch Division with 32 points. The 3-16-1-2 Braves are in fifth place in the Murdoch division with a total of nine points.
B.V. outshot Spokane 44-38, with each team going 0-for-4 on the power play.
Joel Smyth netted the game winner for the Nitehawks midway through the second period and Brady Magarrell scored twice in the Hawks 6-2 win over the Nelson Leafs, Saturday.
Magarrell and Trail product Mason Dixon scored to give the Hawks a 2-1 first period lead.
The Nitehawks outscored the Leafs 3-1 in the third period on power-play goals from Boris Hristov and Brett Mock, and an empty netter/short-handed goal from Magarrell.
The Hawks Landan Uzeloc stopped 28 shots, while Leafs goalie Jacob Armstrong made 34 saves.
On Friday, Justin Mol scored the game winner for the Grand Forks Border Bruins, giving them a 2-0 first period lead, on their way to a 4-1 triumph.
The Border Bruins talented forward Levi Astill opened the scoring with his 15th goal and led all skaters with three points
Magarrell scored the lone Beaver Valley goal.
Matthew Dovichak made 19 saves for the win. Connor Stojan stopped 38 in the loss.
The Nitehawks travel to Nelson to play the Leafs again on Friday at 7 p.m. and return to the B.V. Arena on Saturday to welcome the Merritt Centennials on their first trip to Fruitvale. The puck drops at 7 p.m.
