Saanich 2 Nanaimo 5
Nanaimo Buccaneers scored the final three goals of the game to pull away for a 5-2 win over the Saanich Predators and open a two point lead atop the North Division standings in a Sunday VIJHL contest in front of 265 fans at Nanaimo Ice Centre.
Following a scoreless first period, Nanaimo (26-10-1 for 53 points) had goals from Lukas Needham, Jaxin Karst, Madden Cruickshank, Rhys Wilcox and Casey Rutland into an empty net to move ahead of the Oceanside Generals. First star was Boston Cripps with an assist and third star Tristen Bailey added two helpers as goalie Aaron Pichette stopped 23 shots for the win.
Saanich (7-29-1 for 15 points, fourth in South) had both their goals from Koen Gauthier and George Jantz stopped 53 shots between the Predators pipes.
Kerry Park 0 Victoria 10
First star and league leading scorer Joseph Melichar fired three goals and added an assist to lead the Victoria Cougars to a 10-0 whitewash of the Kerry Park Islanders as 153 spectators watched at Archie Browning Arena.
Melichar has 37 goals and 39 assists for 76 points in 35 games, holding a 13 point lead over the second leading scorer, Kansys Seney of the Westshore Wolves. The Cougars are now just one point behind second place Westshore in the South Division.
Also scoring for Victoria (26-8-3 for 55 points), which held 4-0 and 7-0 period leads, were second star Simon Semancik, who also added two assists, Ethan Davey, Haydyn Brooks, Caden Love, Gray Slugget, Kelton Shinde and Jacob Bernardo. Logan Prill had a pair of helpers and was named third star, and Jesse Pye earned the shutout by stopping all 19 shots he faced.
Kerry Park (2-37 for 4 points) had netminders Adam Ranger and William Kozoriz combine for 42 saves.
Lake Cowichan 2 Port Alberni 4
Port Alberni Bombers scored the first four goals of the game and skated to a 4-2 doubling of the Lake Cowichan Kraken as 374 people took in the contest at the Alberni Valley Multiplex.
Port Alberni (15-21-2 for 32 points, fifth in North) was led by first star Malik Oliva with two goals, with third star Ryan Christenson adding a goal and an assist and John Shields the other marker.Joseph Naccarato earned second star honours with a 32 save performance.
Toby Johnson and Jaxon Woodward counted goals for Lake Cowichan (11-24-1-1 for 24 points, sixth in North) and goalie Alfie Blakeley stopped 28 shots in the Kraken cage.
