Port Alberni 6 Saanich 2
First star Ethan Unger figured on half of the Port Alberni markers with two goals and an assist as the Bombers dropped the host Saanich Predators 6-3 in Friday night VIJHL play at George Pearkes Arena.
Port Alberni (14-21-2 for 30 points, fifth in the North Division) led 3-0 and 5-1 by periods and also had goals from third star Joel Dorn, Makhi Wandler, Cole Campbell and Geon Park, and third star Kash Nicklin was money in the bank with three assists. Joseph Naccarato made 31 saves to record the win in net.
Saanich (7-28-1 for 15 points, fourth in the South) had their scores from Dylan Hoskins and Von Parsons, with Matthew Macfie and George Jantz combining for 40 saves between the Predators pipes.
Oceanside 0 Campbell River 2
First star Luc Gravel was outstanding with a 43 save shutout and second star Dylan Toth’s first period goal stood up as the winner as the Campbell River Storm blanked the Oceanside Generals 2-0 as 695 fans took in the game at Rod Brind’Amour Arena.
Elliott Turgeon scored with seven seconds remaining in the game for Campbell River (20-17-1 for 41 points) as the Storm moved into a third place tie with the Comox Valley Glacier Kings in the North.
Oceanside (25-11-1 for 51 points) fell into second place in the North, and had 35 saves from netminder Levi Hollatz, the game’s third star.
Westshore 5 Peninsula 4
Newcomer Luca Vanzo was chosen first star as his 48 saves enabled the Westshore Wolves to nip the Peninsula Panthers 5-4 in a clash between the South Division’s top two teams as 301 people watched at the Panorama Recreation Centre.
Second place Westshore (26-7-4 for 56 points) scored the first four goals of the game and led 3-0 and 4-0 by periods before a furious four-goal third period almost allowed the Division leading Panthers to come all the way back. Third star Kansys Seney scored twice and Noah Gebicki, Trace Anderson and Parker Atkinson once each for the Wolves.
Peninsula (30-5-1 for 61 points) had their goals from Brendan Williams, Luke Christensen, Paco Hodgson and Carson Harris, with Caden Lentz making 31 saves between the Panthers pipes.
Nanaimo 5 Lake Cowichan 3
First star Dreyton Hayward fired two goals to lead the Nanaimo Buccaneers past the Lake Cowichan Kraken 5-3 at the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena.
Nanaimo (25-10-1 for 51 points) moved into first place on virtue of having played two less games than Oceanside, and had their other tallies from Nate Hughes, Kai Verbrugge and Tristen Bailey, with third star Bostyn MacDonald adding three assists. Anton Palmquist blocked 28 pucks for the win in net.
Lake Cowichan (11-23-1-1 for 24 points, sixth in the North) led 2-1 after the first period but trailed 3-2 heading into the third, despite two goals and an assist from second star Nicolas Kalinocka and a single tally from Diezel Wyton. Goaltender Evgeni Tkachenko made 24 saves.
