Photo credit: Garrett James Photography
Chilliwack Chiefs – 3
Coquitlam Express – 1
The goaltenders stole the show with Grant Riley making 21 saves for Chilliwack and Carter Woodside stopping 27 shots for Coquitlam, but it was the Chiefs who prevailed in a tight-checking affair by a score of 3-1 in Game 3 of their first-round series.
Connor Milburn got the scoring started in this one when he scored shorthanded just 1:53 into the game and Ethan Bowen added on with a second Chilliwack goal in the second period to make it 2-0 heading to the third. The Express rallied in the final frame via Jayden Sison’s second goal of the playoffs, but that is as close as they would come. Bowen capped things off with an empty-net goal in the final minute to make it a 3-1 final.
Chilliwack now leads the series 2-1, but Coquitlam has a chance to even things up tomorrow back at home in Game 4.
Penticton Vees – 2
Trail Smoke Eaters – 1
Luc Wilson and Casey MacDonald each scored in the second period and Kaeden Lane stopped 28 of 29 shots to lead the Penticton Vees to a 2-1 victory over the Trail Smoke Eaters in Game 3 to take the series lead. Teddy Lagerback scored for Trail in the third period, but the Smokies couldn’t beat Lane after that. After dropping Game 1, the Vees have battled back to take a 2-1 edge. Game 4 goes tomorrow in Trail.
Nanaimo Clippers – 3
Surrey Eagles – 1
With the game tied 1-1 in the third period, the Nanaimo Clippers got goals from Jake Hewitt and Keighan Gerrie, while Cooper Black shut the door in net to give their team a 3-1 win over the Surrey Eagles, putting the Eagles on the brink of elimination. The Clippers outshot their opponents 33-21 in this one, but Surrey goalie Eli Pulver held strong for most of the contest. Nanaimo has a chance to be the first team to advance to the second round tomorrow night in Game 4.
Cranbrook Bucks – 3
Prince George Spruce Kings – 0
The Cranbrook Bucks got their first ever playoff win in the BCHL by defeating the Prince George Spruce Kings 3-0 at home in Game 3. The Bucks were led by Nathan Airey’s 27-save shutout performance and a one-goal, one-assist night from forward AJ Vasko. Zeth Kindrachuk and Luke Pfoh had the other goals for Cranbrook who will try to even up the series tomorrow in Game 4.
West Kelowna Warriors – 6
Vernon Vipers – 2
Christophe Farmer had a four-point night, Elan Bar Lev Wise scored a pair of goals and Johnny Derrick made 33 of 35 saves in net as the West Kelowna Warriors topped the Vernon Vipers 6-2 to take the 2-1 series advantage. The Warriors peppered the Vipers net with shots all night long, finishing with 42 on the night. They also went 2-for-6 on the power play. Seiya Tanaka-Campbell had both goals for Vernon in the loss. Game 4 is on Thursday.
