Kings post back-to-back shutouts

Little did Powell River Kings forward Chad Niddery know that his goal 52 seconds into regulation would stand up as the game winner, but it did exactly that as the Kings went on to top the Trail Smoke Eaters by a 1-0 score on home ice Friday night.

For the second time in as many nights, Powell River's Michael Garteig posted a shutout, this time with a 22-save performance. But, just as was the case Friday vs. Merritt, it was the opposition netminder who was named the game's first star, as Trail Kiefer Smiley got the nod after making 43 saves on the night.

For the Smokies, the loss was the first on their four-game Coastal road swing after picking up victories in Surrey and Langley. They wrap the trip with a visit to Nanaimo on Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, in Coquitlam, the Express made it back-to-back home wins with a 5-1 victory over the Merritt Centennials. Brad Reid scored twice in the win, while teammates Zac Ashdown and Riley McIntosh each picked up two helpers. Luke Hernandez was strong in net for home side, turning aside 29 shots. The lone goal to beat him came off the stick of Kameron Crawford late in the third period.

In Prince George, a pair of goals from Joey Benik led the Penticton Vees to a 6-2 road win over the Spruce Kings. Benik netted in the first period and claimed the game winner late in the second, while Kyle Mountain chipped in three points. Jeff Earnest and RJay Berra each scored in a losing cause for the hosts.

In Victoria, Matt Ginn was but a penalty shot goal away from pitching a shutout in the Grizzlies' 3-1 victory over the Westside Warriors. Brandon Fagerheim, Pearce Eviston and David Morley did the damage for the hosts, and Shawn Hochhausen tallied the Warriors' lone marker on a penalty shot at the 12:42 mark of the second. Ginn was otherwise stellar on a night where he faced 32 shots.

In Cowichan Valley, Matt Ius continued his assault on BCHL defences with two goals and four points in a 6-3 Langley win over the Capitals. Ius set up a pair of first period goals by Darnell Dyck and scored two of his own later in the game to assume the league scoring league. Mike Hammond and Dante Godinho replied for the Caps, who threw 37 shots the way of Chiefs starter Wyatt Galley.

In Quesnel, the Vernon Vipers were finally rewarded for a shut-down effort on defence with a 5-2 victory over the Quesnel Millionaires. Saturday's effort marked the third time in the young season where the Vipers held their opponent to 15 shots or fewer, but it was the first time they were rewarded with a W. Steve Weinstein led the charge for the Vipers with three points, while Derek Huisman and Justin Hogan supplied the Mills' offence

There are six games around the BCHL on a busy Sunday, including: