Vernon Vipers – 2
West Kelowna Warriors – 1
Ethan David stopped 30 of the 31 shots he faced to earn first star of the game, while Ethan Merner scored the game-winner midway through the third period as the Vernon Vipers edged the West Kelowna Warriors 2-1 in Game 5 of their first-round series to take a one game lead. Reagan Milburn scored Vernon’s other goal, while Jaiden Moriello had the lone marker for West Kelowna. Warriors goalie Cayden Hamming played well despite the loss, stopping 30 of 32 shots. West Kelowna will look to stay alive with a win in Game 6 on Sunday night.
Chilliwack Chiefs – 6
Coquitlam Express – 5 (OT)
Despite giving up a two-goal lead in the final two minutes of the third period and going down a man early in overtime, the Chilliwack Chiefs rallied to beat the Coquitlam Express 6-5 in extra time on a winner from Dylan Kinch to win Game 5 and the series. This back and forth affair started with two quick goals by the Express when Colton Alexander and Drew Garzone each scored their first of the postseason, but the Chiefs replied with three straight before the end of the first period on goals by Aaron Davidson, Hunter McInnes and Michael La Starza to lead 3-2. AJ Lacroix extended Chilliwack’s lead to 4-2 in the middle frame before Cameron Moger got Coquitlam back to within one. Dalton MacGillivray appeared to seal the game for the Chiefs with an insurance goal in the final five minutes, but Evan Brown and Tyler Kopff scored 24 seconds apart in the final two minutes to force overtime and setup Kinch’s series winner. With the win, Chilliwack advances to Round 2 and will have to wait to find out their opponent.
Cranbrook Bucks – 4
Wenatchee Wild – 2
The Cranbrook Bucks bounced back after losing three straight in their first round series with a clutch 4-2 win at home over the Wenatchee Wild in Game 5. After Kellan Hjartarson broke the ice for Cranbrook, the red-hot Parker Murray got the Wild on the board with his ninth goal in the last three games and his 11th overall in the series. Cooper Boulanger put the Bucks back in front with a second-period goal, but Garrett Szydlowski tied the game again early in the third. With Wenatchee goalie Andy Vlaha standing on his head for most of the night, Bauer Morrisey’s point shot snuck through a screen to find the back of the net to regain the Bucks lead. Boulanger would add an empty netter for his second of the game to close out the scoring. Despite the loss, Vlaha made 36 stops. The Wild still lead the series 3-2 with a chance to advance in Game 6 back at home on Sunday night.
