Just weeks ago, there would have been long odds against the Victoria Grizzlies being overtaken in the BCHL's Island Division. But with the Cowichan Valley Capitals stretch of strong play now in its sixth consecutive week, the gap has narrowed considerably.
On Friday, the Caps closed to within four points of the Grizzlies with a 3-2 win on home ice. Kevin Walrod, Anthony Perdicaro and Spencer Edwards did the damage offensively for the home team, while Chris Rawlings turned aside 24 shots for the victory. Tyler Gubb and Brian Nugent replied for Victoria.
Elsewhere around the Coastal Conference:
- A third period power-play goal by Erik Vos was the difference for Powell River in a 3-2 road win at Burnaby. Vos, who was named the game's first star, tallied with just over six minutes remaining in regulation after Clay Harvey had tied the game just 1:29 earlier.
Meanwhile, the Salmon Arm Silverbacks rode a 30-save performance from Bryan Gillis and multi-point nights from Mark Zengerle and Brent Vandenberg to a 5-2 win in Penticton. Vandenberg scored back to back goals — including the winner — for the Silverbacks while Ryan Viselli and Curtis McKenzie tallied for Penticton.
At other Interior Conference venues:
- The Westside Warriors didn't need a five-goal third period to beat Merritt on home ice, but they got one in a 9-0 victory. Cam Reid scored three goals in the third frame and four points overall for the Warriors while Alex Grieve put up a three-point night. Devon Murtagh stopped all 29 shots he faced for the shutout.
- Recent addition Alex Goodship scored the game winner in his first game as a Spruce King as Prince George defeated visiting Surrey by a 3-2 score. The Eagles surrendered a two-goal lead in the game, with Sean Ambrosie, Alex Allen and Goodship replying after Darnell Dyck and Mike Henderson had tallied for Surrey.
- The Nanaimo Clippers fell behind by three goals early but replied with a trio of power-play markers in defeating the Vernon Vipers 4-3 in overtime. Nick Chartier completed the Clippers comeback by scoring 1:42 into double overtime after goals from Matt Betker, Mike Boivin and Eric Filiou had fueled the comeback.
There are seven games on tap around the BCHL on Saturday, including:
- Vernon at Prince George, 7:00 PM
- Cowichan Valley at Alberni Valley, 7:00 PM
- Nanaimo at Penticton, 7:05 PM
- Powell River at Victoria, 7:10 PM
- Surrey at Quesnel, 7:30 PM
- Salmon Arm at Trail, 7:30 PM
- Langley at Burnaby, 7:30 PM
Catch all the action live with BCHL Web TV or in streaming audio in the Fanzone.
