The Victoria Grizzlies needed somebody to step up Saturday night and help carry forward the momentum from the team's recent winning streak. Prized offseason acquisition Derek Lee answered the call, scoring the overtime winner in a 4-3 road victory over the Burnaby Express.
Lee's tally 3:23 into the first overtime period capped an impressive road victory for Victoria. Key to the win was the Grizzlies' power-play, which notched all three of the team's goals in regulation. Evan Pighin, Tyler Matheson and Justin Courtnall also scored for the visitors, while John Bokla, Matt Frydrysek and Garrick Perry replied for the Express.
In other Coastal Conference action:
- Spencer Bennett scored twice in Surrey's 5-2 home ice win over Cowichan Valley. Mike Henderson and Andrew Wallace added two-point performances for the Eagles, while Spencer Edwards and Mickey Spencer replied for the Capitals.
- The Nanaimo Clippers defeated Alberni Valley 3-2 on Anders Franzon's overtime winner, spoiling a two-goal effort from Bulldogs forward Mitch MacMillan. Connor Krukowski and Colton Cyr also tallied for the Clippers, while turned aside 27 shots for the win.
Meanwhile, the Trail Smoke Eaters waited until the last minute to beat Penticton Vees netminder Sean Bonar, but Patrick Raley tied the game 1-1 with :50 remaining before Smokies forward Travis St. Denis ended the game 3:48 into overtime.
The game was a goaltenders dual, as Bonar stopped 37 shots while Trail goaltender Marco Raimondo allowed just one goals on 30 shots. Curtis Mackenzie was the lone Vee to beat the Trail tender.
In other Interior Conference games:
- Joe Morgan netted a hat trick and Kevin Genoe turned aside 37 shots in Prince George's 8-1 win over Merritt. A number of Spruce Kings enjoyed multi-point nights, including two-goal scorer Sean Ambrosie. Dustin Johnson replied for the Centennials.
- Graeme Gordon earned first star honours in Vernon's 4-1 road win over Westside after a 33-save performance. Braden Pimm and Mike Collins led the way offensively for the Vipers, each tallying a pair of points, while Jordan Gagne scored the lone Warriors marker.
- Justin Cseter scored twice and added three assists in Salmon Arm's 8-1 defeat of Quesnel. Cseter and the Silverbacks were on their game from the drop of the puck, jumping out to a 5-0 lead after two periods. Conor Morrison also tallied five points for Salmon Arm, while Tony Ierfino turned aside 28 shots in the win.
There are four games on tap around the BCHL on Sunday, including:
- Victoria at Langley, 2:00 PM
- Alberni Valley at Powell River, 2:00 PM
- Quesnel at Vernon, 2:00 PM
- Prince George at Penticton, 7:05 PM
Catch all the action live with BCHL Web TV or in streaming audio in the Fanzone.
