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BCHL Playoff recap – Thursday, March 23

BCHL-FPC-180The Vernon Vipers got the series-winning goal from Jagger Williamson in the second period of a 6-2 win over the Trail Smoke Eaters that puts Vernon into the Interior finals.

Michael Ufberg delivered for his team with 2 points (1 goal, 1 assist) and Williamson did his part, adding 2 points (1 goal, 1 assist).

In the second, Austin Adamson opened the scoring for Vernon with a goal at 2:06 with helpers from CameronĀ Trott and Michael Ufberg. Mitchell Barker answered for the Smoke Eaters with a goal at 5:46 with helpers from Luke Santerno and Connor Brown-Maloski. Blaine Caton put Trail ahead with assists from Armour and Lucchini but Ufberg quickly followed with a goal at 7:56 with helpers from Jesse Lansdell and Trott. Williamson scored what turned out to be the game winning goal at 13:40 with an assist from defenceman Trott.

During the third period, Watson put in a goal at 7:03 with helpers from Stapley and Lambert. Brandt netted a goal at 16:56 with an assist from his linemate Williamson. Lambert quickly followed with a goal at 18:45 with a helper from fellow Vipers forward Stapley.

Vernon’s victory was in no doubt helped out by Hanson as he stopped 17 of the 19 shots he faced. Hanson’s counterpart, Dyment, also had a big night, managing to stop 28 of 32, but ultimately fell short.

In Penticton, Rylan Van Unen’s first goal of the postseason was the winner in the third period for the Merritt Centennials in a 5-4 win over the Penticton Vees that forces the series to Game 6 back in Merritt Friday. Merritt led 2-1 after one with Cade Gleekel and Zach Zorn scoring and Owen Sillinger providing a Vees goal. In the second, the teams traded tallies with Stephan Seeger putting the Cents up two and Mitch Meek replying for Penticton before Zach Risteau and Jared Nash traded tallies late making it 4-3 Merritt going to the third. Grant Cruikshank tied the game just past the midway point of the third but Van Unen’s winner came less than two minutes later. Jacob Berger made 31 saves for the win.

Brian Wilson posted a shutout, stopping all 34 of the Victoria Grizzlies shots as the Powell River Kings took an early lead in the first on a goal from Kyle Betts and never looked back on the way to a 3-0 win.

In the first period, Betts opened the scoring for the Kings with what turned out to be the game-winning goal at 0:11 with assists from teammates Tristan Mullin and Johan Steen.

During the third, Jonny Evans netted a goal at 11:59 with a helper from his linemate Cam Donaldson. McCarrick deposited a goal at 16:03 with assists from his linemates, Gavin Rauser and Liam Lawson.

Powell River’s victory was aided by Wilson’s shutout, as he stopped all 34 of the shots he faced. On the other hand, Wilson’s counterpart, Matthew Galajda made 23 saves for Victoria.