Night 25

In Port Alberni in front of 1397 fans Frank Slubowski made 39 saves as the Alberni Valley Bulldogs (7-3-1) defeated the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (10-5) 3-1. Trailing 1-0 for over two periods Salmon Arm finally tied the game on a power play with six minutes remaining only to have the Bulldogs respond 99 seconds later to go back out in front. Off the opening faceoff the ‘Backs dumped and chased to control the puck possession and territorial advantage in the game excluding the final five minutes of the first period. Hemmed in their own zone for much of the game Alberni Valley did an excellent job of keeping Salmon Arm to the outside and allowing very few quality scoring chances. Filling in on a depleted backend forward Josh Manson had a terrific game as a defenceman including an assist on the game tying goal. Overall for the Apes it is their third straight defeat.

In Vernon the Vipers (8-5-1-2) spilt a home-and-home series with the Trail Smoke Eaters (9-6-0-1) thanks to a 3-1 victory after a 3-2 loss the night before. Scoring 31 seconds in Trail took an early lead but it would be their only goal of the contest. Responding with two halfway through the first Vernon took the lead and added to it on one of their two total shots in the final frame. Overall in the contest the teams combined for 37 shots on goal.

In Powell River recent Ohio State University commit Chad Niddery’s three point night led the Kings (9-3-1-1) to a 3-1 victory over the Westside Warriors (6-7-1-1). More known for his assists than goals Niddery scored one in each of the first periods and added an apple in the third. Finishing one-for-eight with the man-advantage the Kings held the Warriors scoreless on three opportunities. Westside’s Izaak Berglund had an eventful second period taking three straight minors for tripping, slashing, and finally checking from behind in the span of ten minutes. Unfortunately with the automatic game misconduct for checking from behind Berglund wasn’t able to continue with his misfortune.

In Quesnel the Millionaires (4-8-1-0) scored three times in the first period to defeat the Prince George Spruce Kings (2-12-0-2) 4-2. Clayton Chessa, Justin Hogan, and Spencer Graboski all had a goal and an assist for the Mills.

In Merritt the Centennials (2-9-0-3) blew a three goal lead but recovered in overtime to defeat the Coquitlam Express (8-5-0-2) 4-3. Taking a 3-0 lead in the first period the Cents gave up goals in the span of ten seconds in the second period and one with 46 seconds left in the game to force extra time where 35 seconds in defenceman Brandon Pfeil scored his second goal of the night. The result was a reversal of the night before in the same building when Merritt erased a two-goal lead only to lose in overtime.

In Duncan the Langley Chiefs (11-1-0-2) won their eighth straight game with a 5-1 victory over the Cowichan Valley Capitals (5-10). In a surprise Alexandre Peck got the start in goal for the Capitals after Derek Dun made 36 saves for a victory the night before. Peck lasted only six minutes and was yanked after two goals in what turned out to be a five goal first period for the Chiefs. In Langley’s net young Cole Huggins continued a strong start to the season with 39 saves in a ten-for-11 penalty killing effort.