VIJHL Playoff Summary – March 4
Peninsula 4 Campbell River 3
Jakob Gajda was the hero as the Peninsula Panthers downed the Campbell River Storm 4-3 and took a 3-1 series stranglehold over the regular season champions.
After a scoreless first, the two teams combined for 6 goals in the second. Damon Kramer, Darren Hards and Pearce Messer for Campbell River, Hayden Visscher, Braeden Hansen and Riley Braun for Peninsula.
Gajda, Visscher, Matthew Sparrow and Braun were impressive for Peninsula, Kramer along with the Mike Dyck, Damon Porter and Messer line were standouts for Campbell River.
The Panthers lead the series 3-1.
VIJHL Playoff Summary – March 3
Campbell River 4 Peninsula 2
Three goals in the second led the Storm to a 4-2 victory in Game 3 over the Panthers.
The top line of Damon Porter, Pearce Messer and Mike Dyck each took turns scoring in the middle frame.
Despite being down 3-0 with just over 6 minutes left, the Panthers pressed with two quick goals from Tanner Wort and Matthew Sparrow. Suddenly it was game on.
In the final minute Scott Rademaker wired a shot just under the crossbar on the powerplay to seal the Campbell River victory.
The Panthers lead the series 2-1.
Oceanside Generals 3 Victoria Cougars 2
The Oceanside Generals are back in the series after a huge 3-2 win over the Cougars in Game 3. It’s the first win for the Generals in the playoffs since 2012.
The Cougar goals came from Cameron LeSergent and Booker Chacalias. The Generals picked up their goals from Landon Dziadyk, Matteo Giomo and Liam Moody with the winner in his first VIJHL game.
The Cougars leads the series 2-1.
Saanich Braves 4 Kerry Park Islanders 1
It was a dominant performance from the Saanich Braves enroute to a 4-1 victory over the Kerry Park Islanders in Game 4.
Jakob McQuillin, Kyle Mace, Will Wright and Ryan Strange scored for the Braves, Avery Neilsen-Webb snagged the lone Islander goal.
Anderson Violette was solid in goal for Saanich and was named a game star.
The Braves leads the series 3-1.
Westshore Wolves 5 Nanaimo Buccaneers 2
The Westshore Wolves were full value for a 5-2 win in Game 3.
Connor Eddy led the way with 2. He was joined on the Westshore scoresheet by Keegan Durrance, Blake Bentham and Brayden Flynn. Trey Watson and Dylan Hartl replied for Nanaimo.
This game had its nasty moments. At the 14:42 mark of the third period after goalie Jordan Spandli was run in his crease a melee ensued resulting in 74 minutes in penalties and suspensions.
Spandli was the Westshore game star and Dylan Devers who was in on both Nanaimo goals was the Bucs star.
The Buccaneers lead the series 2-1.