After going down 3-1 in the second period, the Penticton Vees scored four straight goals, including third-period markers by Chris Klack and Jordan Henderson, and came back to beat the Trail Smoke Eaters 5-3 in game one of their series on Friday night.
Trail took an early second-period lead after goals from Braedon Tuck and Blaine Caton put them up 2-0, but Penticton’s Jack Barnes replied shortly after to cut the lead to one. Ethan Martini scored his first of the playoffs to restore the Smoke Eaters two-goal lead, but the Vees replied again with goals by Wyatt Sloboshan and Taylor Ward to tie the game before the end of the period, setting up Klack’s game-winner in the third.
Penticton defenceman Jonny Tychonick extended his point streak to five playoff games and six going back to the regular season as he chipped in with a pair of helpers. Caton led the way offensively for the Smoke Eaters as he tallied an assist to go along with his second-period goal and was named the game’s second star. Vees goalie Adam Scheel stopped 25 of the 28 shots he faced in the win. Game two is set for tomorrow night back in Penticton.
Niko Karamanis had a hat trick and Jesse Landsell added three assists as the Vernon Vipers exploded offensively in a 7-1 win over the Wenatchee Wild. Cameron Trott, Brett Stapley, Jagger Williamson and Alex Swetlikoff each contributed multiple points for the Vipers and goaltender Ty Taylor made 26 saves in his fifth straight playoff win. Sam Morton scored the lone goal for Wenatchee who will look to bounce back in game two tomorrow night in Vernon.
The Prince George Spruce Kings scored five third-period goals to pull away from the Surrey Eagles in a 9-1 win in game one of their second-round series. Prince George went ahead early as Liam Watson-Brawn scored a pair of goals just over five minutes into the game, but Surrey’s Jackson Ross replied before the end of the first to cut the Spruce Kings lead to 2-1. Prince George then ripped off seven straight goals, including two-goal efforts from Kyle Johnson and Sam Anzai, and cruised to the win. Patrick Cozzi and Jay Keranen scored the other Spruce Kings goals and Evan DeBrouwer made 14 saves to get the win. Watson-Brawn ended up with four points on the night and was named the game’s first star. Game two goes tomorrow night in Prince George.
Matteo Paler-Chow continued his strong postseason as he stopped 30 of 31 shots and was named the game’s first star as he backstopped the Powell River Kings to a 5-1 road win in game one. The Kings led 3-0 after two period on goals from Carmine Buono, Ben Berard and Ben Thomas, then added to it when Carter Turnbull scored his fifth of the playoffs midway through the third. Victoria replied late with a goal by Ethan Nother, but Josh Coblenz scored an empty-netter in the final minute to seal the win. Turnbull’s goal puts him in the lead in BCHL playoff scoring with 11 points in seven games. The Grizzlies will look to reply tomorrow night at home in game two.
