The Cowichan Valley Capitals did more than just topple the Coastal Conference leaders when they topped Powell River by a 5-4 score in overtime on Saturday night — it was also the first time in 20 games that any team managed to put five goals past the BCHL's top defensive team.
Cohen Adair put the Kings ahead with a pair of first period goals, but the Capitals took over from there. Jordan Grant brought Cowichan within one with 16 seconds remaining in the first period, and Tyler Matheson tallied a natural hat trick that bridged the second and third frames. But down a pair with time running out, Matt Garbowsky scored twice to send the game to overtime. Ultimately it was Alex Halloran who gave the Caps the win when he notched the winner at the 3:33 mark of double overtime.
Brandon Glover continued his strong play for the Caps, picking up the win following a 33-save effort. Sean Maguire took the loss for Powell River on a night when he faced 26 shots.
Meanwhile, in Langley, the Chiefs received a key third period goal from Brad Haber pace a 4-2 victory over the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Strikes from Mike Tebbutt and Josh Myers sandwiched a Trent Dorais marker to give Langley a lead after 20 minutes, but the Bulldogs evened the game off the stick of Brandon Adams in the second. Haber then netted the eventual winner early in the third before Tyler Miller scored into an empty net.
In Salmon Arm, the SilverBacks rallied with a trio of unanswered goals in the third period to top the Vernon Vipers by a 4-3 margin. Ties at 1-1 entering the third period, Bryce Kakoske and David Robinson each scored to put the Vipers up a pair. But the Salmon Arm power-play tied the game with a pair of goals in 21 seconds before Brett Knowles scored the eventual winner on a shorthanded effort at the 10:14 mark of the frame.
In Merritt, Kyle Mountain's third period marker proved the difference for the Penticton Vees in a 3-2 win over the Centennials. Joey Benik had scored to put the Vees up after 20 minutes, but Brandon Pfeil and Regan Soquila each scored on the man-advantage in the second to even the score. Mountain's second of the game came just 25 seconds into the third period, and Penticton held on despite a late Cents' surge. Joel Rumpel picked up a well-earned with with 39 saves.
In Quesnel, the Millionaires found all the offence they needed in the first period en route to a 2-1 triumph over the Trail Smoke Eaters. The visitors actually took a brief lead off an Erik Cooper tally, but a quick reply from Brad Buckingham tied the game before Chris Albee put the Mills ahead for good minutes later. Kirby Halcrow stole the show from there, stopping 31 shots in the second and third periods before being tabbed as the game's first star.
