As their Lower Mainland road swing continued Saturday, the Vernon Vipers had the tables turned on them in Langley. The Snakes dropped a 5-4 overtime decision to the Chiefs one night after downing the Coquitlam Express 4-3 in the extra frame.
Vernon came back from deficits of 2-0 and 4-2 and forced the extra period when Michael Zalewski scored with less than two minutes remaining in the game. But Trevor Gerling ended things for Langley at 2:44 of overtime on a setup from Brandon Thompson.
No player scored more than once for either team, though Matt Ius and Josh Myers had a goal and an assist each for Langley while Thompson chipped in two helpers. Max Mowat and Bryce Kakoske each assisted twice for Vernon while David Robinson had a goal and an assist.
The Alberni Valley Bulldogs held a 1-0 lead for the majority of the game on an early goal from Tyler Berkholtz but couldn’t make it hold up as visiting Island rival Nanaimo used three third-period goals to snatch victory. Kyle Kramer scored twice including an empty-netter and Ryan Stanimir had the other for the Clippers.
Bryce Gervais played hero for the Salmon Arm SilverBacks, potting the overtime winner in a 5-4 home win over Westside. Goals came thick and fast in the opening 20 minutes as the Warriors led 3-2 at the first intermission getting two goals from Tom Kroshus. The score was 4-4 after the second and a scoreless third set the stage for Gervais’ heroics. Devin Gannon had a goal and three assists for Salmon Arm.
First-place Powell River continued to roll in Coquitlam with a 4-1 win over the Express. The Kings got two goals off the stick of big defenceman Craig Dalrymple, a shorthanded effort from Matt Garbowsky and an empty-net goal from Carter Shinkaruk while Michael Krgovich replied for Coquitlam. Luke Hernandez turned away 31 shots in the defeat.
The outcome was still in question late in the game between visiting Quesnel and Cowichan Valley before Nicholas Wong’s second of the game at 18:43 of the third sealed things for a 4-2 Capitals win. Wong had a four-point evening while Derek Dun earned the win and a first star nod with 37 saves. Derek Huisman and Chris Allbee scored for the Mills.
Reigning BCHL Player of the Week Cullen Bradshaw continued his hot play scoring twice in Trail's 4-2 win over visiting Prince George. Bradshaw scored shorthanded in the second as Trail built a 3-0 lead and then netted the insurance marker midway through the third. Nic DeSousa and Jujhar Khaira replied for the Spruce Kings.
After a scoreless first period in Victoria, the Grizzlies hit their stride in the second and third, scoring three goals in each frame to down Merritt 6-1. Joel Lowry opened the scoring for Victoria, finishing up with a three-point night while Wesley Myron potted a pair of goals for the Grizzlies. Max Vallis had the lone Merritt marker. Grizzlies goalie Cam Gorchynski was first star as each team fired 45 shots on net.
