A summary of youth hockey results from the Okanagan and surrounding area.
The Kelowna Rockets have now lost three games in a row, falling 4-2 against the Everett Silvertips Saturday night.
The first period was very eventful, with both teams scoring two goals each. Gabriel Szturc (31) and Caden Brown (8) scored for Kelowna, while Austin Roest (36) and Caden Brown (8) scored for Everett.
Both of Silvertips’ goals in the first period were on power plays, and the two teams were tied after the first 20 minutes.
Late in the second period, with the score still tied, Everett’s Julius Miettinen (30) received a pass from Jesse Heslop and scored, giving the ‘Tips a 3-2 lead.
Then, just :19 seconds into the final period, Eric Jamieson (10) scored, extending Everett's lead to 4-2.
After increasing their lead, the Silvertips tightened their defense, allowing Kelowna only 4 shots for the rest of the game.
The Rockets’ current record is 31-30-4-1. They will finish the regular season with a home-and-home series against the Vancouver Giants, starting in Langley on Friday night and then in Kelowna on Saturday.
The Giants have now moved ahead of the Rockets for fifth place in the Western Conference standings, following a 9-2 loss to the Kamloops Blazers on Saturday.
Saturday’s results
- Brandon 3, Prince Albert 2
- Vancouver 9, Kamloops 2
- Medicine Hat 4, Swift Current 2
- Moose Jaw 6, Saskatoon 3
- Lethbridge 3, Red Deer 2 (OT)
- Portland 5, Wenatchee 3
- Prince George 10, Victoria 4
- Spokane 7, Tri-City 6
Sunday’s games
- Lethbridge at Calgary
- Swift Current at Edmonton
- Moose Jaw at Regina
- Portland at Seattle
- Wenatchee at Spokane
- Prince George at Vancouver
Just a day after the Vernon Vipers announced that their general manager and head coach Jason McKee had mutually agreed to part ways, the team secured a significant victory in overtime against the Nanaimo Clippers.
Vernon’s Hank Cleaves (13) and Owen Kim (16) both scored powerplay goals, while the Clippers scored two even-strength goals, resulting in a tie after the first period.
Neither team managed to score in the second or third period, but in overtime, Vernon’s Julian Facchinelli (11) sealed the victory 1:15 into extra time.
Despite the loss, the Clippers outshot the hometown Vipers 46-42. Vernon scored 2 goals out of 4 powerplay opportunities, while Nanaimo failed to score on three powerplay chances.
The Vipers will play again on Sunday as they host Alberni Valley.
Despite being heavily outshot 38-21, the Alberni Valley Bulldogs surprised the Penticton Vees and their supporters with a 2-1 win on Saturday night.
After a goalless first period, Alberni Valley’s Lenny Greenberg (4) scored the opening goal, quieting the crowd of 2,847 at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
However, the lead didn’t last long, as the Vees quickly responded with a goal by Anselmo Rego (10) just under seven minutes later.
Next, 29 seconds into the last period, the Bulldogs broke the tie because of Nicholas Beneteau, (16) and that goal would be the game-winner.
Penticton didn't score in one powerplay opportunity while Alberni Valley didn't score in three powerplay opportunities.
The Vees’ next game starts on Friday when they host Merritt.
A two-goal effort from Issac Lambert helped drive the Salmon Arm Silverbacks over the Coquitlam Express on Saturday night.
JJ Monteiro (17) and Ryan Gillespie (9) also scored for the Silverbacks, who were ahead 3-1 after two periods of play.
In the third, Lambert (21) got his second goal of the night just 2:47 in. Coquitlam made things interesting when Kasper Walthner-Sneve scored to make it 4-2, but the Silverbacks secured the game when Riley Ashe (5) added a late-period goal.
Salmon Arm outshot Coquitlam 39-29, Their powerplay was a perfect one-for-one, while Coquitlam didn't score on the man advantage with two opportunities.
The Silverbacks hit the road and play against Penticton on Saturday.
Saturday’s results
- Cowichan Valley 4, Powell River 1
- Blackfalds 4, Okotoks 3
- Surrey 3, Chilliwack 2
- Prince George 4, Merritt 3 (OT)
- Spruce Grove 6, Brooks 5 (OT)
- Cranbrook 5, Trail 2
- Langley 6, Victoria 5 (OT)
Sunday’s games
- Sherwood Park at Blackfalds
- Alberni Valley at Vernon
