The Port Alberni Bombers have another shot at winning the VIJHL North Division playoff final after beating Campbell River Storm 5-3 at Rod Brind'Amour Arena on Tuesday night (March 18).
The Bombers and Storm were tied 2-2 after two periods on goals from Bombers' Jack Barrett and Sean Richards. The Bombers went ahead 3-2 at 4:14 of the third period with a goal from McCall Nault but the Storm tied it up at 5:57.
Richards with his second of the game put the Bombers ahead 4-3 just 31 seconds later. Grayson Salmon scored at the final buzzer to give the Bombers a 5-3 win. The victory cut the Storm's playoff series lead to 3-2 and guaranteed another game in Port Alberni.
The Bombers outshot the Storm 47-24. Evan Grant got the win in goal for Port Alberni. Richards had three points, including an assist on Nault's goal. Nault had two points, assisting Richards on his first goal. Luke Ridgway had two assists, and Salmon had a goal and an assist.
Marshall Curri and Jacob Kulas had two points apiece for Campbell River.
The series returns to Port Alberni on Thursday, March 20 for Game 6. Puck drop at the Alberni Valley Multiplex is 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at portalbernibombers.ca beginning Wednesday, March 19 or at the Multiplex office on Thursday starting at 1 p.m.
Panthers sweep South Division series
Peninsula Panthers' captain Ethan Lingard scored twice, including a third-period winner, to give the Peninsula Panthers a 5-3 win over the Kerry Park Islanders and a sweep of their best-of-seven VIJHL South Division playoff final series. The Panthers won all four post-season games against the Islanders, who were regular-season South Division champs.
Peninsula will meet whoever wins the North Division series between the Bombers and Storm.
