Photo credit: Garrett James Photography
Nanaimo Clippers – 1
Chilliwack Chiefs – 0
Keighan Gerrie scored a clutch goal for the second night in a row and Cooper Black stopped all 37 shots he faced to earn the shutout as the Nanaimo Clippers blanked the Chilliwack Chiefs 1-0 in Game 4 to complete the second-round sweep and advance to the Coastal Conference Finals.
This game was the very definition of a goaltenders duel. The score was 0-0 in the final five minutes of the third period thanks to Black’s heroics as well as Chilliwack goalie Grant Riley who had a strong night of his own, stopping 19 of 20 shots. A night after scoring both of his team’s goals, including the overtime winner, Gerrie played hero again when he converted on a 2-on-1 break to pot the game’s only goal.
The Chiefs outshot the Clippers for the fourth game in a row, this time by a series-high 17-shot margin, but Black was unbeatable on this night. After tonight’s action, Black leads the BCHL playoffs with a .947 save percentage and a 1.71 goals-against average.
With the win, the Clippers have gone unbeaten through two series this postseason. They will play the winner of the series between the Alberni Valley Bulldogs and the Langley Rivermen in Round 3.
Penticton Vees – 3
Prince George Spruce Kings – 2
Bradley Nadeau, Thomas Pichette and Adam Eisele each scored and Kaeden Lane made 27 stops to lead the Penticton Vees to a 3-2 road win over the Prince George Spruce Kings to clinch their second-round series in four games. Prince George battled right to the end, getting two goals from Rowan Miller, including a late one to make it a one-goal game, but they weren’t able to draw even in the end. After dropping their playoff opener to the Trail Smoke Eaters, the Vees have reeled off eight straight victories. They will play the winner of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks and West Kelowna Warriors series in the Interior Conference Finals.
Alberni Valley Bulldogs – 2
Langley Rivermen – 0
Keeping with the low-scoring, tight-checking theme of the series, the Alberni Valley Bulldogs got their first win in Round 2 after blanking the Langley Rivermen 2-0 on the road in Game 3. Hobie Hedquist made 34 saves to record his first shutout of the playoffs and team captain Stephen Castagna had a goal and an assist in the win. Brandon Buhr had the Bulldogs second goal in this one, giving him seven through six playoff games, tying him for the league lead. Langley’s Ajeet Gundarah stopped 32 pucks in the loss. Alberni will look to tie the series up in Game 4 tomorrow night back in Langley.
