On the brink of elimination, the Cowichan Valley Capitals would not lay down Thursday night, surviving a battle of the netminders to beat the Surrey Eagles 2-1 to force Game 6.
Despite the losing effort, the Eagles got an amazing game out of Andrew Hunt, the 20-year-old goalie stopped 47 of 49 shots, earning 1st Star honours in the loss. Unfortunately for Hunt, Capitals netminder Derek Dun was stellar as well, the Surrey product saved 36 of 37 shots, finishing with the game’s 2nd Star.
In the contest the Eagles had the early advantage with a score by Tyler Morley. However, Dun was a wall from then on, and the Capitals were able keep up the pressure in the Eagles’ zone. Forward Ian Iacobellis was able to score on Hunt in the second, while center Matt Brown sealed the win in the third. The Capitals head home to face the Eagles Friday night at 7:30 p.m, hoping to force a do-or-die Game 7.
In Penticton, the Vees regained control of their series with the Chilliwack Chiefs with the 4-2 win. Forward Joey Benik scored his third goal of the series in the first period to give Penticton the early lead, six minutes later Wade Murphy got on the scoresheet as well. The Chiefs mounted a bit of a comeback with scores in the second and third but Curtis Loik and Mario Lucia scored to give the Vees the 3-2 series lead. Vees face Chiefs Friday at 7 p.m.
The Powell River Kings head to Coquitlam with a 3-2 series lead as well. As has occurred all series, the home team handled their business. After Alex Kerfoot helped the Express get an early 1-0 lead, Powell River’s offence all came in the 2nd. Cohen Adair got on the board first during the Kings’ power play, then Teal Burns scored, followed by Teagan Waugh five minutes later. The Kings hope to be the first team to win a road game in this series Friday night at 7 p.m.
