SUNDAY IN THE BCHL
On the Mainland… In Surrey, Andrew Kozek (pictured) scored a hat trick – giving him a league-leading 32 goals on the year – as the Eagles retook possession of first place in the Mainland Division with a 4-3 win over the visiting Williams Lake Timberwolves. Dave Krisky and Les Reaney had a goal and an assist apiece in a losing cause for the T’Wolves.
In the Interior… Michael O’Donnell scored the overtime winner 48 seconds into the extra period as the Quesnel Millionaires topped the visiting Prince George Spruce Kings 2-1. Jeff Gagnon added a pair of assists for the Miils, who jumped over Williams Lake and into fifth in the Interior Division. Darcy Prince scored for the Spruce Kings, who have lost four in a row.
SATURDAY IN THE BCHL
On the Mainland… For the first time this season, the Chilliwack Chiefs are the top team in the Mainland Division. Chris Blackmon opened the scoring and was named the game’s first star, and six different players had two-point nights as the Chiefs topped the Penticton Vees 5-1, moving a point up on idle Surrey in the division. Jordan Cheveldave scored the lone goal for the Vees, who remain in seventh in the Interior Division.
Darren Olson scored twice for the fourth straight game and Brandon Yip added a goal and four assists as the Coquitlam Express knocked off visiting Williams Lake 6-4, solidifying their hold on third in the Mainland Division. Keith Seabrook added a goal and two helpers in the win. Dave Krisky scored twice for the Timberwolves, who have just one win in their last five.
On the Island… The Nanaimo Clippers swept their home-and-home series with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, shutting out their division rivals 2-0 in Port Alberni. Jason Garrison scored both goals for the Clippers, while Sebastien Nolet needed to make just 13 saves to record his second shutout of the year. The Bulldogs’ lead over third-place Powell River in the Island Division is down to just a single point.
Alexandre Gagne scored twice – including the game-winner early in the third period – as the Cowichan Valley Capitals beat the visiting Victoria Salsa 3-1. Tom Phillips also scored for the Caps, who snapped a four-game losing streak with the win. Geoff Irwin scored the only goal for the Salsa, who remain in the Island Division basement, 12 points back of third-place Cowichan Valley.
In the Interior… Robbie Rodgers scored the overtime winner and the Salmon Arm SilverBacks got goals from seven different players in a 7-6 win over the Langley Hornets. Darcy Zajac led the way points-wise for the ‘Backs with three assists, while five more had two points each. Tyson Daniels scored once and set up three others for the Hornets, who have dropped four in a row.
In Trail, Justin St. Louis and Daniel Quilico scored a pair of goals apiece to lead the Smoke Eaters to a 5-2 win over the visiting Merritt Centennials. Kyle Jones added a pair of assists for Trail, who grabbed sole possession of fourth in the Interior Division. Blair Riley scored both goals for the Cents, who lost another chance to escape the division cellar.
FRIDAY IN THE BCHL
In the Interior… Lyle Tassone scored once and added an assist and Dean Strong set up a pair of goals as the Vernon Vipers moved four points clear of Prince George with a 3-1 win over the Spruce Kings, their second win over their division rivals this week. Andy Zulyniak and Wade Davison also scored for the Vipers, who rebounded from Thursday’s 3-1 loss to Quesnel. Tyler Loney scored the lone goal for the Spruce Kings, who dropped their third in a row.
Bryan Leitch scored four times, including the game-winner midway through the final period, as the Merritt Centennials picked up a 6-5 win over the Salmon Arm SilverBacks, pulling to within six points of the ‘Backs for third in the Interior Division. Sean Weaver added a goal and two assists for the Cents, who have won four of six in December. Ben Street and Bryn Gagnon scored a pair of goals each for Salmon Arm; Street added a pair of assists for a four-point night.
The Trail Smoke Eaters stayed right in the middle of the tight Interior Division with a 4-3 win over the visiting Langley Hornets. Kyle Jones scored twice for the Smoke Eaters – giving him a team-leading 25 on the year. Mike Holmes and Brandon Cox added a pair of assists each in the win. Tyson Daniels scored twice for the Hornets, won have just one win in their last nine.
On the Mainland… In Surrey, Kevin Borba scored the game winner late in the second period and Jordan White made 40 saves to pick up the win as the Penticton Vees knocked off the host Eagles 3-1. Jon Cara and Ryan Coghlan also scored for the Ves, who have won two of three. Matt Girling scored the only Eagles’ marker. Surrey has scored first in each of their last three games, but have lost all three.
The Chilliwack Chiefs missed a golden opportunity to leapfrog the Eagles into first in the Mainland Division, falling 6-4 to the Williams Lake Timberwolves. Dave Krisky picked up a hat trick and added two assists for the T’Wolves, while Les Reaney and Josh Murray had a goal and two helpers apiece. Josh Lunden had a three-point night for the Chiefs, scoring once and setting up two others.
On the Island… The Nanaimo Clippers won a battle of the Island Division’s top two teams, beating the visiting Alberni Valley Bulldogs 2-1. Despite being one-two, the Clippers now have a whopping 19-point lead over the Bulldogs. Tyler Mugford and Jason Garrison scored for Nanaimo, while goaltender Sebastien Nolet was named first star after making 35 saves. Tyler Ruel scored the only goal for Alberni Valley. The Bulldogs had their four-game winning streak snapped.
The Victoria Salsa snapped their eight-game losing streak, topping the Powell Ruver Kings 4-1. Geoff Irwin scored twice for the Salsa, while Steve Cameron and Derek Knowles also found the scoresheet. Adam Presizniuk scored for the Kings, who lost for just the second time in seven games. Brandon Wong set up Presizniuk’s goal, giving him points in nine of his last 11 games.
THURSDAY IN THE BCHL
In the Interior… Ryan Martens scored the winner midway through the final period as the Quesnel Millionaires moved into fourth spot in the Interior Division with a 3-1 win over the division-leading Vernon Vipers. Shawn Overton had a goal and an assist for the Mills, who have won three in a row. Mark Nelson scored the lone goal for the Vipers, who failed to move four points up on idle Prince George in the division.
WEDNESDAY IN THE BCHL
In the Interior… The Vernon Vipers took over sole possession of top spot in the Interior Division, rebounding from a 2-0 first-period deficit to score a 4-2 win over the Prince George Spruce Kings. Dean Strong led the way with a pair of goals and an assist, while Matt Watkins and Cody Bostock had two points apiece in the win. Chris Stevens scored both goals for the Spruce Kings – Stevens has scored the last four goals for Prince George.
On the Island… Greg Tyshynski scored late in the first overtime period to give the Nanaimo Clippers a 4-3 win over the Cowichan Valley Capitals. Trevor MacKenzie added two assists in the win. The win pushes the Clippers 21 games over .500 on the year. Ryan Botchar had a goal and two assists for the Caps, who dropped their fourth in a row.
In Victoria, Brandon Wong scored once and set up three others, leaving him just one point back of the league scoring leaders, in the Powell River Kings’ 5-3 win over the host Salsa. Dan Faedo added a goal and an assist in the win. Jordan Baird scored twice for the Salsa, while Adam Naglich pitched in with a pair of helpers.
On the Mainland… Darren Olson scored twice – his third straight mul
