Kyle St. Denis continued to make an impact returning to the lineup with the Victoria Grizzlies but Saturday's first star couldn't overcome the Nanaimo Clippers power play as the Clips claimed a 5-4 win on home ice.
Nanaimo's power play went 3-5 on the night and it was with the man advantage that they opened the scoring in the first period. The Fitzgerald triplets teamed up for the goal with Myles scoring from Gerry and Leo.
Victoria responded with two of their own before the end of the first including the first of the game for St. Denis. Nanaimo rallied with a two goals in the first half of the second period, one of them a power play marker from Victor Newell. David Morley made it 3-3 late in the second.
The Grizzlies took the lead at the start of the third on St. Denis' second of the game but Myles Fitzgerald responded and Andrew Gladiuk sniped the power play winner shortly after to clinch it for the Clippers.
The Penticton Vees looked in command after surrendering the opening goal and gave the visiting Powell River Kings their second straight loss, the first time this season the Kings have dropped consecutive regular season games this year. Craig Dalrymple's power play tally opened the scoring but Joey Benik tied it later in the first. Myles McCauley, Joey Holka and James Polk provided the rest of the Vees' offence.
A goalie duel unfolded in Prince George as Spruce Kings' netminder Kirk Thompson and Merritt Centennials' Tyler Steel battled to a 0-0 score after 60 minutes. But Evan Stack won it for the Cents at 1:29 into the first overtime to take first star while Thompson and Steel were named second and third stars respectively.
In Trail, the Smoke Eaters grabbed a 3-2 win over Salmon Arm with Joey Baker providing the winner with under five minutes remaining. Salmon Arm scored first on Mike Hammond's power play tally but Nic DeSousa tied it later in the first and Jake Baker put Trail ahead in the second. Jarryd Ten Vaanholt evened the score again in the third on another power play before Baker's winner.
Brad McGowan's two assists kept him on top of the BCHL scoring race and also helped the Surrey Eagles to a 4-2 win in Alberni Valley over the Bulldogs. Surrey led 2-0 midway through the first on goals by Richard Vanderhoek and Dale Hunt but the 'Dogs came back to tie it on goals by Oliver McCluskey and Casey Bailey. A pair of goals followed from first star Mitch Jones to give Surrey the win. Steve Koshey had three helpers for the Eagles.
The Langley Chiefs took a 5-3 home win over the Westside Warriors thanks to two goals and an assist from first star Brad McBride who scored the game-winner early in the third. The teams alternated goals in the first and were tied 2-2 after 20 minutes. Surrey's Kit Sitterley scored the only goal of the second before McBride's eventual winner in the third and Trevor Gerling's insurance marker. Grayson Downing had three assists for Westside.
Four second-period goals propelled the Vernon Vipers to a 6-4 win over the visiting Coquitlam Express. Coquitlam's Michael Krgovich scored early in the first period but Colton Sparrow tied it soon after. Patrick McGillis provided two of the four second-period tallies in unassisted fashion with Darren Nowick and David Robinson supplying the others. Massimo Lamacchia scored twice in the third to bring the Express within one but Robinson's empty-netter sealed it for the Snakes.
Potent power play pushes Nanaimo to victory over Island rival Victoria
