The Westside Warriors defeated the Salmon Arm SilverBacks 6-4 Friday night with an epic come-from-behind effort.
Salmon Arm's Brett Knowles and David Killip scored in the first and Clinton Atkinson and Bryce Gervais doubled the lead in the second but the Warriors struck for four goals in little more than five minutes to begin the third to tie the game.
A SilverBacks time-out after the 4-3 goal did nothing to slow the surging Westside squad with Kyle Singleton tying the game at 5:05, giving his team the lead at 14:06 and completing the natural hat trick into an empty net at 18:54. He was named first star.
Tyler Brickler started the comeback for the Warriors scoring the first two Westside goals and took third star. The teams play again Saturday night in Westside.
In Trail, the Nanaimo Clippers got the first win of their four-game road trip scoring three times in the first period and sailing to a 4-0 win. Andrew Gladiuk got the winner at 1:35 of the first and added two assists to claim first star. Charles-Andre Pelletier got his second shutout of the season making 19 stops.
In Victoria, despite a three-goal third period by the visiting Alberni Valley Bulldogs, the Grizzlies hung on for a 5-4 win. Victoria built a 4-1 lead after two periods but needed Pearce Eviston's goal in the first minute of the third to ensure the two points as the 'Dogs scored the next three but couldn't get the equalizer.
In Surrey, the Eagles used two goals in the third period to earn a 3-2 comeback win over the Langley Chiefs. Tied 1-1 after one, Langley's Trevor Gerling put his team ahead a goal with his second of the game early in the second. Richard Vanderhoek and Scott Holm tallied in the final frame for Surrey to grab the two points.
In Penticton, goalie Joel Rumpel helped the Vees to a point in a 1-1 tie with the Vernon Vipers as he stopped 39 shots to earn first star. Vernon outshot Penticton 40-22 on the night but trailed after two periods as Joey Holka scored early in the second for Penticton. Kyle Murphy netted the tying goal near the midway point of the third.
In Coquitlam, the Express claimed a 4-2 triumph over the Quesnel Millionaires getting two goals and an assist from first star Michael Krgovich. Coquitlam led 2-0 after one and 3-2 after two, which is how it stayed until half a minute left when Mark Begert iced it with an empty-netter.
In Powell River, the Kings poured 52 shots on Prince George Spruce Kings goalie Cameron Large and scored three times in the second to take a 4-1 win. Chad Niddery opened the scoring for the Kings and Jon Jutzi's tally early in the second proved the winner. Faiz Khan replied for the Spruce Kings.
