The return of an old star highlighted a seven-game slate of British Columbia Hockey League games on Saturday. And Evan Pighin made his long-awaited debut with the Victoria Grizzlies a memorable one on Saturday, assisting on Justin Courtnall's overtime winner against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
On the ice, Bulldogs netminder Mathew Wong nearly stole the show in his first game in Victoria since an offseason trade landed him up-island. Wong stopped 39 shots, including 29 over the first two periods. Grizzlies blueliner Lee Baldwin chipped in three assists in the win.
Elsewhere around the Coastal Conference:
- The Burnaby Express made in back-to-back victories over the Surrey Eagles with a 5-2 triumph on home ice on the heels of another fine outing by rookie forward Garrick Perry. Tied entering the third period, Perry scored twice and added an assist to put the game out of reach.
- The Langley Chiefs wrapped a weekend sweep of the Powell River Kings with a 4-3 win on the Sunshine Coast. Derek Grant continued his fine stretch of recent play with a four-point effort while Andrew Walsh stopped 42 Kings shots to record the victory.
Meanwhile, all eight Interior Conference teams were in action Saturday, but none stood out as brightly as the Quesnel Millionaires. The Mills tied this season's high for offence in an 11-4 rout of the Trail Smoke Eaters. It's easy to say that Quesnel's newly-formed top line of Trevor Hertz, Danny McSween and Mitchell Smith is finding an early groove. The trio combined for 17 points in the win. Millionaires netminder turned aside 34 Smokies shots for the win.
In other Interior Conference action:
- Keenan Desmet, Conor Morrison and Mark Zengerle all contributed four-point efforts in Salmon Arm's 7-2 win over Vernon.The Silverbacks, who now have 13 goals to show for two games this weekend, received a 29-save effort from Bryan Gillis in net.
- The Westside Warriors won their second game in four days over the Merritt Centennials, building a five-goal lead and holding on to win 5-1. Kevin Jebson picked up his first win for the Warriors, stopping 20 shots, while defencemen Justin Schultz and Corey Pritz led the way offensively with two points apiece.
- Brent Vandenberg's four goal effort powered the Penticton Vees to a 7-3 win in Prince George. The Vees, who won consecutive games on their Northern road trip, also received three points from Curtis McKenzie.
Four teams take the ice in BCHL action Sunday. Langley makes a brief Island appearance to visit the Cowichan Valley Capitals while the Centennials and Smoke Eaters will both try to bounce back from losses when they meet in Merritt. Both games begin at 2 PM and are available on BCHL Web TV and on free audio in the Fanzone.
