Campbell River 5 Port Alberni 4 (OT)
Elliott Turgeon scored just 33 seconds into overtime to give the Campbell River Storm a 5-4 win over the Port Alberni Bombers in Saturday night VIJHL action in front of 391 fans at the Port Alberni Multiplex.
The teams were tied after every period: 1-1 after 1, 2-2 after 2, and 4-4 after three.
Campbell River (23-18-1 for 47 points, fourth in North) had two goals from Noah Spencer and singles from Henry Davis and Leonardo Biafore. Luc Gravel stopped 24 shots for the Storm, who clinched a playoff spot with the win.
Port Alberni (15-24-3 for 33 points, fifth in North) had two goals from first star Jeremy Gould and one each from second star Jaxon Hinchey, with netminder Joseph Naccarato picking up third star honours with 30 saves.
Peninsula 4 Oceanside 3
A pair of goals from third star Carson Harris, including the winner with 36 seconds left capped off a three-goal third period comeback as the Peninsula Panthers downed the Oceanside Generals 4-3 as 420 spectators took in the game at Oceanside Place.
Peninsula (34-5-2 for 70 points, first in South) had their other goals from Brendan Williams and Lucas Ananias and two assists from second star Ethan Lingard. After a scoreless first period, Oceanside led 2-1 heading into the third frame. Caden Lentz stopped 21 saves for the win in net.
Oceanside (25-16-1 for 51 points, second in North) had Jacob Leamy, Reid Ronning and Jacob Bate dent the twine, and first star Ethan Suhr was outstanding in the Generals goal while stopping 60 pucks on the night.
Lake Cowichan 4 Kerry Park 0
Lake Cowichan Kraken scored twice in the second and third periods and shutout the Kerry Park Islanders at Kerry Park Arena.
Lake Cowichan (14-26-1-1 for 30 points, sixth in North) had two goals from Landon Morris and singles from first star Iaroslav Morozov and Hunter McLean, with goaltender Evgeni Tkachenko stopping 18 shots to earn the shutout and take third star honours.
Kerry Park (2-41 for four points, fifth in South) received 45 saves from Alex Doyer and Benjamin Stocks was named third star.
Four teams in each division have now clinched playoffs spots: Peninsula, Westshore Wolves, Victoria Cougars and Saanich Predators in the South, and Nanaimo Buccaneers, Oceanside, Comox Valley Glacier Kings and Campbell River in the North.
