Photo credit: Garrett James Photography
West Kelowna Warriors – 4
Salmon Arm Silverbacks – 1
Despite giving up a goal in the opening minute of the game, the West Kelowna Warriors scored four straight times and got a 29-save outing from goaltender Johnny Derrick to earn a 4-1 win over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks and take a commanding 3-0 series lead.
Silverbacks captain Daniel Panetta put his team ahead with his fifth goal of the playoffs 59 seconds into the game, but Elan Bar Lev Wise replied less than three minutes later and it was 1-1 at the intermission. The Warriors came out flying in the second and took the lead on Riley Sharun’s first of the postseason 1:27 in. Shortly after, West Kelowna would have two goals disallowed in a matter of minutes, but they eventually took a 3-1 lead when Felix Trudeau’s wrister from the high slot found the back of the net. John Evans capped things off with an empty-netter in the final minute to make it a 4-1 final.
Salmon Arm was without their leading scorer in the regular season and BCHL MVP finalist Simon Tassy for most of the game as he suffered an injury early in the first period. Silverbacks goaltender Owen Say was solid in net, stopping 36 of 39 shots in a losing effort.
West Kelowna has a chance to clinch the series at home in Game 4 on Wednesday.
Nanaimo Clippers – 2
Chilliwack Chiefs – 1 (OT)
Keighan Gerrie scored twice, including the overtime winner, and Cooper Black stopped 35 of 36 shots as the Nanaimo Clippers beat the Chilliwack Chiefs 2-1 in extra time to go up 3-0 in their second-round series. Gerrie opened the scoring for Nanaimo midway through the first period, but the Chiefs answered on a Mateo Mrsic goal late in the opening frame to tie the game at one. That score held up all the way until the 10:30 mark of overtime when Gerrie snapped a shot by Chiefs goalie Grant Riley to get the overtime win. Riley made 31 saves in just over 70 minutes of action. The Clippers have yet to lose this postseason and will have a chance to sweep their second straight series tomorrow in Game 4.
Penticton Vees – 5
Prince George Spruce Kings – 3
The Penticton Vees got goals from five different players and three assists from Luc Wilson as they defeated the Prince George Spruce Kings 5-3 in Game 3 to push their opponents to the brink of elimination. Casey MacDonald, Thomas Pichette, Joshua Niedermayer, Adam Eisele and Josh Nadeau all tallied for the Vees, while Ben LeFranc, Simon Labelle and Luc Layin scored for the Spruce Kings. The turning point came late in the second period with the score tied 2-2 when Niedermayer’s point shot found its way home to give the Vees the lead for the third time in the game, but this time they held onto it for good. Laylin added two assists to his goal for a three-point night. Prince George will try to extend their season in Game 4 tomorrow night.
