Night 35

In Penticton the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (13-7) squandered a two-goal lead and were defeated 4-2 by the Vees (14-5-0-1). Controlling the play for the first 15 minutes with an aggressive forecheck the Apes took a 2-0 lead including the prettiest goal of the season scored by Devin Muller. However Penticton received a late first period goal after the ‘Backs failed to clear the puck cleanly out of the zone with time on the halfway. Following a late first period abysmal power play by SA the Vees controlled much of the play for the rest of the game with a strong cycle in the offensive zone. Penticton scored twice in the second period while outshooting their opponent 13-6 and finished with their fourth unanswered tally in the final frame. Dearly missed was Silverbacks most valuable player Devin Gannon who was ejected for a questionable hitting from behind penalty only eight minutes into the game. With the loss Salmon Arm falls three points behind Penticton for first place in the Interior Conference.

In Quesnel the Vernon Vipers (11-5-1-3) scored three times in the final seven minutes to defeat the Millionaires (4-13-1) 4-3. Trailing 3-1 the Vipes scored twice on the powerplay in a little over a minute to tie the game before taking the lead with a little over a minute remaining in the third period. Trailing 2-0 heading into the final frame Vernon scored four times in total and outshot the Mills 20-6.

In Trail the Victoria Grizzlies (10-6-0-1) took a commanding second period lead and defeated the Smoke Eaters (12-7-0-1) 5-2. Jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the middle stanza the Grizz received 34 saves from 1991 born Lindsay, Ontario resident Matt Ginn for the win. For Victoria it was their first victory on an Interior roadtrip that started with games in Penticton and Salmon Arm while winding up in Vernon.

In West Kelowna the Westside Warriors (8-8-1-1) survived a Surrey Eagles' (12-8) third period rally for a 4-2 victory. Trailing 3-0 the Eagles closed to within one goal with 12 minutes left in the final frame but couldn't find the equalizier and a Warriors' empty netter sealed the deal. 1992 born Abbotsford resident and New Hampshire University commit Grayson Downing led the way with a hat trick to extend his point streak to seven games.

In Prince George the Spruce Kings (4-15-0-2) blew a late two goal lead but recovered to defeat the Merritt Centennials (4-10-0-4) 3-2 in double overtime. Leading 2-0 the Sprucies gave up two goals in the final four minutes including the tying marker with 12 seconds remaining in regulation. For PG it was their second consecutive OT victory thanks in large part to 1990 born PG resident Alex Wright's 34 stops.

In Coquitlam the Powell River Kings (13-4-1-1) continued thier stingy defense with a 2-1 victory over the Express (8-8-0-3). 1991 born Prince George resident Michael Garteig improved his league leading totals in goals against average and save percentage with a 22 stop victory. For Coquitlam the loss extended a winless streak to six games.

In Nanaimo the Langley Chiefs (13-4-0-2) kept pace with the Kings for first place with a 3-2 victory over the Clippers (6-7-1-2). Trailing 2-1 the Chiefs tied the game in the third period and took the lead later with 58 seconds remaining in regulation. 1991 born Ottawa, Ontario and Bowling Green commit Wyatt Galley recorded his league leading 12th victory with 32 saves. The win was redemption for Langley after an 11-5 loss in Nanaimo two weeks ago.

In Duncan the Alberni Valley Bulldogs (9-4-1-1) won the front half of a home-and-home series with a 4-3 double overtime victory over the Cowichan Valley Capitals (6-12-0-2). For the Dogs it was their second consecutive double overtime win and second one-goal victory in two tries over the Capitals this season.