On a night where three of four teams held onto home ice advantage, the Surrey Eagles dared to buck the trend on the road in Langley. Goals from Spencer Bennett and Tom Janosz staked the Eagles to a two-goal lead and Tommy Tartaglione turned aside 27 shots en route to a 2-1 win.
Andrew Bennett assisted on both markers for Surrey, who will have the opportunity to take a 2-0 lead back home for Game 3 on Monday should they triumph again on Saturday.
In other Coastal Conference action, Anthony Perdicaro played hero in a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over Nanaimo to open the Island's elimination series. First, Perdicaro scored with just 12 seconds remaining in the third period to send the game to overtime tied 3-3. Then, with less than 30 seconds remaining in the first extra, he tallied an unassisted effort to lift the Capitals to a 4-3 win.
In the Interior Conference, all held to form for the home teams with both Penticton and Westside picking up comfortable wins.
In Penticton, the Vees jumped out to a 3-0 first period lead on goals by Brodie Reid, Curtis McKenzie and Travis Ouellette and held on for a 4-1 victory over the visiting Prince George Spruce Kings. Jordan White earned the win in net for Penticton, turning aside 22 of 23 shots against his former team.
Meanwhile, the Westside Warriors carried over their regular season success against Trail in a 5-1 victory over the Smoke Eaters. The Warriors jumped out to a 4-0 second period lead with the help of Cam Reid, who scored twice in a 5-1 victory. While the scoreline seemed decisive, Kevin Jebson had to be sharp in net for the home side, allowing just a single goal on 33 Smokies shots.
All four series return for Game 2 action on Saturday night. To catch all the action, tune in to BCHL Web TV or streaming audio in the Fanzone.
