Friday kicked off the second round of playoffs for all BCHL teams that haven’t yet traded in their sticks for drivers.
Penticton and Vernon had the closest match of the night heading to overtime in the first game of their series.
Vernon out chanced Penticton in their 4-3 loss; taking 47 shots on the Vees Sean Bonar while the Vipers net minder Andrew Hammond saw 32.
The Vees Garrett Milan struck first and last. Milan opened the game with a power play goal two minutes in, then capped off the night with the over time winner. The Vipers Sahir Gill also put up two goals for his side, both on the power play.
In other Interior Conference play, Salmon Arm and Westside went head to head ending with an outcome that heavily favored the Silverbacks. Salmon Arm out shot the Warriors 32 to 26, which showed on the score board with Salmon Arm taking the game 6-3.
Warrior Kevin Jebson made 26 stops on 31 shots on goal before being pulled for an extra skater in the last 34 seconds of the third. Silverbacks' goaltender Bryan Gillis would stay in net for the entire 60 minutes, recording 23 saves on 26 shots.
There were 19 penalties taken in the third alone, but none of the power play opportunities were capitalized on; however, Jordan Gagne was able to put the puck away in the third short handed.
First and second stars of the game, Matt Wray and Brent Vandenberg, each slotted in two towards the Silverbacks six.
The Coastal Conference saw similar results with a large-lead win and a tight race.
Cowichan Valley took their game against Victoria 3-2. Kevin Walrod led the way with a three point night, scoring two and putting up an assist. Alex Gellert also made an impact with three assists on the Capitals three goals.
The Capitals held a lead without any goals against until the third, when the Victoria’s Teal Burns turned up the heat and cut the Capitals 3-0 lead down by two.
Elsewhere in the Coastal Conference, the Powell River Kings took the Surrey Eagles 4-1; with two of their goals coming on power plays and an empty netter sealing their win in the third.
Darcy Oakes scored the last two for the Kings and posted an assist while Tyler Morley put up Surrey’s lone goal.
The Eagles Tommy Tartaglione cast aside 33 of the 36 shots he faced and the games first star Carsen Chubak stopped 24 of the 25 pucks that came his way.
