The Powell River Kings and Prince George Spruce Kings were at their royal best as the Powell River side scored four unanswered goals to defeat the Alberni Valley Bulldogs while their northern counterparts were winners in overtime over the Westside Warriors. The Silverbacks of Salmon Arm scored 12 times to deflate the visiting Langley Chiefs Thursday night.
In Salmon Arm, an almost 40 minute delay at the Sunwave Centre due to some technical difficulties with the score clock, didn't hamper the legs of the hometown side as they scored 5 trimes in the first period enroute to a 12-3 pasting of the Langley Chiefs. The Silverbacks were deadly with the man advantage as they went 5 for 9 on the power-play including four straight in the third period.
Kelly Zajac picked up 1st Star honors with a 5 point night – scoring once and adding 4 assists. Week 2's Player of the Week Evan Pighin enjoyed another big night as he picked up the hat trick to go along with a single assist while Randy Hanagan scored twice for Salmon Arm. Justin Horstman earned his first BCHL win in the Silverbacks' goal turning aside 29 shots.
In Prince George, the Spruce Kings needed double overtime to sneak out a 4-3 win over the Westside Warriors with Wes McLeod netting the winner at 2:47 in the second extra time frame. Zach Davies, Anthony Collins, and Joe Morgan recorded the other Kings' goals while Shane Mainprize turned in a 36 save performance to record the win in goal. Justin Shultz recorded two points with a goal and one assist for the Warriors.
The lone contest on the coast saw the visiting Powell River Kings come back from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Alberni Valley Bulldogs 4-2. Darcy Oakes had the hot hand for the Kings as he scored twice, including a shorthanded effort which proved to be the winner mid-way through the final period. Erik Vos and Brock Sawyer also enjoyed two point nights for the Kings – each picking up a goal and one assist. Evan Karambelas was solid in the Powell River goal as he allowed just two goals on 27 shots. The win was his first in the BCHL.
There are seven games on the BCHL schedule Friday.
