Wenatchee Wild – 5
Cranbrook Bucks – 4 (OT)
Parker Murray stole the show in Game 3, scoring four goals, including the overtime winner as the Wenatchee Wild topped the Cranbrook Bucks 5-4 to take the series lead. Three of Murray’s four goals came in the first two periods as the home team built a 4-3 lead heading to the third, but Donovan Frias scored for Cranbrook with just 34 seconds to go in regulation to force overtime, setting up Murray’s heroics. Bucks forward Nick Peluso had a goal and three assists in the loss. Cranbrook will look to rebound and tie the series tomorrow night in Game 4.
Alberni Valley Bulldogs – 6
Victoria Grizzlies – 2
Down 2-1 at the second intermission, the Alberni Valley Bulldogs exploded for five goals in the third period to storm back and win Game 3 by a 6-2 final. Olivier Picard and Eli Barnett each scored their first goals of the playoffs in the second period to give Victoria a 2-0 lead, but a Matthew Maltais goal for Alberni late in the middle frame seemed to turn the tide. In the third, the Bulldogs got two goals from Ethan Bono and one each from Dakota MacIntosh, AJ Vasko and Chase Klassen to steal the game. Hobie Hedquist made 45 stops for the Bulldogs to earn the win.
Coquitlam Express – 5
Chilliwack Chiefs – 1
The Coquitlam Express jumped back into their first-round series with the Chilliwack Chiefs after a 5-1 road victory in Game 3. The Express jumped out to a 2-0 lead on two late first-period goals from Gavin Giesbrecht and Luke Vardy, then added on with a Ray Hamlin marker in the second. Coquitlam’s Tyler Kopff and Chilliwack’s AJ Lacroix exchanged goals in the third before Ethan Rosenoff closed out the scoring for the Express. Game 4 is set for tomorrow night back in Chilliwack.
Nanaimo Clippers – 5
Langley Rivermen – 1
The Nanaimo Clippers scored four first-period goals and never looked back as they defeated the Langley Rivermen 5-1 on Tuesday to even their series 2-2. Defencemen Skyler Cameron and Ethan Mistry each potted their first goals of the postseason within the first three minutes of the game, then Kai Daniells netted two of his own to stretch the lead to 4-0. Brody Waters tallied the Clippers fifth goal in the second period before Andrej Kovacevic broke the shutout bid late in the third. Nanaimo goaltender Shane Shelest stopped 30 of 31 shots after getting his first start of the playoffs. The series shifts back to Nanaimo for Game 5 on Thursday night.
West Kelowna Warriors – 5
Vernon Vipers – 2
Dylan Brooks had two goals and an assist, while Christopher Duclair continued his strong postseason with a goal and a helper as the West Kelowna Warriors took Game 3 over the Vernon Vipers by a 5-2 final. Lee Parks, who scored both Vernon goals in this game, opened things up with a tally just 35 seconds into the game, but the Warriors scored three straight to end the period and lead 3-1. Brooks and Jaiden Moriello each scored in the second stanza to grow the lead to 5-1 before Parks bookended the scoring. Vernon will look to even things up in Game 4 tomorrow night.
Salmon Arm Silverbacks – 6
Prince George Spruce Kings – 2
The Prince George Spruce Kings are on the brink of elimination after losing 6-2 to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks on home ice Tuesday night. ‘Backs captain Nathan Mackie led the way offensively with a five-point outing after scoring twice and adding a trio of assists. Hayden Stavroff also had a pair of goals for Salmon Arm, while Matthew Tovell stood tall in net, making 28 saves in the win. On the PG side, John Herrington and Charlie Banquier had goals in the loss. Game 4 is tomorrow night in Prince George.
Surrey Eagles – 4
Powell River Kings – 1
Jake Bongo scored two goals and added an assist and Michael Sochan stopped 28 of the 29 shots he faced in the Surrey Eagles 4-1 victory over the Powell River Kings, giving them a 3-1 series edge. Aaron Schwartz, Tate Taylor and Ryden Evers each had two-point nights for Surrey, while Noah Eyre scored the Kings lone goal in the game. The Eagles have a chance to move on to the next round with a win in Game 5 on Thursday at South Surrey Arena.
Penticton Vees – 7
Trail Smoke Eaters – 2
The Penticton Vees continued to pour on the offence with a seven-goal performance in their win over the Trail Smoke Eaters in Game 3 of their first-round series. This time, it was Thomas Pichette doing the damage with a hat trick, the first of his BCHL career. Meanwhile, Nic DeGraves piled up four assists in the game and Campbell Blair Trophy finalist Frank Djurasevic had a goal and two helpers in the win. Brady Hunter and Nicholas Remissong scored for Trail who will look to extend their season tomorrow night in Game 4.
