The Vernon Vipers, Salmon Arm SilverBacks, Trail Smoke Eaters, and Merritt Centennials all picked up wins Saturday night as four games were played in the BCHL's Interior.
The Vipers continued to roll in Vernon as they handled the visiting Nanaimo Clippers by a 5-3 score at the Vernon Multiplex. Jonathan Milhouse was the leader on the night as he scored three times to record the hat trick for the Vipers. Cory Kane scored once and added a pair assists as well for Vernon while Graeme Gordon picked up the win in goal. Cody Bremner scored twice and notched an assist for the Clippers who failed to pick up a win on their three game swing through the Interior.
Mark Zengerle's power-play marker in the first overtime period lifted the Salmon Arm SilverBacks toa 5-4 win over the visiting Prince George Spruce Kings. The SilverBacks rallied with a pair of goal in the final two minutes of regulation time to send the game to extra time – much to the delight of the hoetown fans. Zengerle also recorded 3 assists to pick up four points on the evening. The SilverBacks comeback put a damper on a great performance by Prince George's Sam Muchalla who scored three times for the Spruce Kings.
Garrett Beckwith was the man of the hour at the Cominco Arena in Trail as he turned aside all 24 shots he faced to record a shut-out and 4-0 win over the Victoria Grizzlies. Nick Sandor and Sam Mellor led the way offensively each with a goal and one assist. Paul Mailey and Travis St. Denis were the otehr scorers for the Smokies who went 2 for 2 versus Island opponents this weekend.
Keith Hamilton turned in perhaps the best performance of the night by a goaltender as he faced and shunned 41 shots to lead the Merritt Centennials to a 2-0 win over the Powell River Kings at the Nicola Valley Arena. Steve Tressierra and Jordan Soquila were teh goal getters for the Centennials who are enjoying a good weekend picking up 4 points after defeating the Salmon Arm SilverBacks Friday night. They can make it 6 Sunday as they face the Prince George Spruce Kings Sunday.
