Evan Richardson ended the BCHL's longest playoff game so far in the 2011 Fred Page Cup with an unassisted marker for the Victoria Grizzlies at 4:47 of the second overtime frame to tie up the series 1-1 with the Powell River Kings.
After a scoreless first, the teams alternated goals throughout the game starting with David Morley's opening tally for the Bears early in the second. Jon Jutzi tied it not long after, Joel Lowry responded for Victoria and Chad Niddery, on one of two penalty shot goals in the league Wednesday, knotted it 2-2 going into the third.
Dustin Johnson continued his hot play for Victoria, putting them up a goal midway through the third but mid-season pickup Justin Bardarson equalized not long after to force OT.
In the second overtime frame, Richardson potted the winner to even the series and earned 1st Star honours in the process. Matt Ginn made 39 saves in the win.
In Penticton, the Salmon Arm SilverBacks became the only team to go up 2-0 in the conference semifinals with a come-from-behind 3-2 win over the Vees. The 'Backs' Brad Reid opened the scoring late in the first but Penticton answered with goals in the second from Brendan O'Donnell and Logan Johnston to lead by one into the third. Bryce Gervais was awarded a penalty shot and capitalized to tie it and David Killip, in his second game back from injury, scored the winner midway through the final period. Kris Moore was again a story in net, making 40 saves for the second consecutive night.
In Vernon, the Westside Warriors got two goals from Tyler Krause and two points each from Quinn Gould and Tyler Brickler in a 5-2 win over the Vipers that tied that series at a game apiece. The Warriors never trailed after Krause's opening marker though Dylan Walchuk tied the game briefly in the first. Alex Grieve's tally early in the second proved the winner. Malcom Lyles had the other goal for the Snakes.
These three series take Thursday off and begin again Friday night. The Langley Chiefs host the Surrey Eagles in the lone Thursday night game.
