Usually, a first-star showing by your goalie is a good recipe for success but such was not the case in Nanaimo Friday night as Frank Slubowski of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs turned away 44 of 46 shots to earn the honour but the 'Dogs dropped a 2-1 decision to the Clippers.
Early on, it looked like Nanaimo might break out for a big offensive game as captain Colton Cyr scored 58 seconds in but they would fire more than 30 more shots before they'd beat Slubowski again. Alberni Valley tied the game at the end of the first on a nice finish by Trent Dorais on a shorthanded two-on-one feed from Dylan Nowakowski.
The second period saw the Clips outshoot the Bulldogs 18-3 but the frame was scoreless. Nanaimo had four straight power plays but were frustrated repeatedly by the 'Dogs goalie. It wasn't until Zach Martin beat Slubowski on a scramble in front of the net in the third that Nanaimo secured the winner.
Cyr wound up with two points to take third star for the Clippers who held the Bulldogs to just 19 shots on net.
Goals came in a torrent in the first period in Penticton as the Vees defeated the Langley Chiefs 6-4. Langley's Josh Hansen opened the scoring but two straight power play markers from Joey Laleggia, who extended his scoring streak to 15 games, and Mark MacMillan gave the Vees a lead. Kody Dhaliwal tied it but 40 seconds after, Joey Holka put Penticton up 3-2. Garret Milan made it 4-2 in the second and the teams exchanged two goals apiece in the third. Four Vees had two points on the night, including first star Joey Benik.
The acquistion of Nic DeSousa paid immediate dividends for the Trail Smoke Eaters and against his old team no less. DeSousa set up two goals against the Prince George Spruce Kings including the game-winning marker in the first period. Five different Smokies tallied in the win while Jeff Earnest replied for the Spruce Kings.
A four-goal first period by the Powell River Kings allowed them to skate to a 5-1 win over the visiting Surrey Eagles. Chad Niddery and Cohen Adair each had a pair of goals for the Kings after Matt Garbowsky opened scoring. Jeff Vanderlugt scored late in the game for Surrey as they fired 16 pucks at Michael Garteig in the final frame.
In Quesnel, the Millionaires pushed the defending national champ Vernon Vipers to the limit but couldn't overcome them, losing 4-3. Mills' Derek Huisman scored first but Adam Thompson replied on the power play to tie it 1-1 after a period. Vernon scored twice early in the second but Quesnel refused to go away with Malcolm Gould getting them within one going into the third. Zach McPhee's goal early in the third for Vernon proved a vital insurance marker because Spencer Graboski scored with just under five minutes left but that was as close as they'd get.
The Victoria Grizzlies and Cowichan Valley Capitals exchanged two goals each in the first period but the Bears went on to a 6-3 win. First star Evan Richardson scored his second of the game in the second period and David Morley provided the insurance early in the third. Taylor Matheson scored twice for the Caps to earn second star.
Two first-period power-play goals from Grayson Downing solved a typically strong Salmon Arm penalty kill and helped the Westside Warriors to a 6-1 win over the SilverBacks. Newly acquired leading scorer Mike Hammond scored the only 'Backs goal on an unassisted shorthanded effort in the first. Goals from the French boys, Tyler and Max, bookended the Warriors' scoring.
