The Quesnel Millionaires overcame a slow start in Williams Lake on Saturday night, coming back from down three goals to secure a 5-4 victory and the Interior Conference's fifth seed for the upcoming playoffs.
After Tyler French had put Quesnel ahead early, the Timberwolves responded with a pair of power-play goals from Justin Bardarson and Jake Harcoff. Then, midway through the second period, Ryan Stanimir and Bardarson scored just 4:15 apart to give the home side a commanding lead. The Mills fought back, however, beginning with a pair from Justin Hogan before the end of the second period. French and Joshua Desmarais completed the comeback in the third.
With the victory, the Millionaires are assured of a first-round match-up with the Salmon Arm SilverBacks. Quesnel took just three of a possible eight points from the SilverBacks this season, just won the most recent meeting between the teams.
In other Interior Conference-based action:
- The Trail Smoke Eaters grabbed the Interior's sixth playoff seed after scoring a trio of third period goals to top Merritt by a 6-3 margin. Nick Sandor scored twice in the span of 55 seconds to secure the win, while Ben Matthews and Paul Mailey each put up three points on the night. Jordan Soquila and Alex Valenti each scored once and added an assist for the Cents, who will face Penticton in the first round of the playoffs.
- The Prince George Spruce Kings closed out their season on a winning note, scoring a 5-4 home ice win over the Burnaby Express. Luke Hannas scored and assisted twice in the win, while the Express received two goals and an assist from Paul de Jersey. Burnaby wraps their regular season with a visit to Williams Lake on Sunday.
- Mark Zengerle assisted twice in Salmon Arm's 4-1 win over Surrey, capturing a four-point lead in the BCHL scoring race heading into the final day of regular season action. Jamus Lane opened the scoring early for Surrey, but Devin Gannon replied with a natural hat trick in the first and seconds periods to secure the win.
- Mike Collins scored early in double overtime, leading the Vernon Vipers to a 3-2 victory in Westside. The Warriors took a lead after 20 minutes on goals from Trevor Bailey and Alex Grieve, but a second period tally by Sahir Gill evened the score and forced extra time. Blake Voth made 31 saves in the victory.
