Owen Ozar’s goal at just 12 seconds of overtime clinched a 5-4 road win for the Trail Smoke Eaters and a 2-0 series lead over the Vernon Vipers.
After surrendering the first goal of the game to Braeden Tuck, the home side replied with goals from Teddy Wooding and Matt Kowalski to head into the first intermission with a 2-1 lead. Trevor Zins had the lone tally of the second period for Trail to draw the score even after 40 minutes.
In the final frame, Trail appeared to take control with goals 3:05 apart by Carter Jones and Kyle Budvarson but in the waning moments of regulation, Vernon got goals from Connor Marritt and then with 35 seconds left from Michael Young to tie the game 4-4 and set the stage for OT. In the extra session, before the ice was even dry, Ozar got control of the puck off the opening faceoff and after circling through the neutral zone, snapped a shot that deceived Aidan Porter and won it for Trail. Game 3 will be Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Trail.
Overtime was also needed in Victoria but it was the visiting Powell River Kings that came away with a 6-5 win over the Grizzlies on a goal by Ben Berard. Both teams scored twice in the first period with Josh Coblenz and Ryan Brushett putting the Kings ahead only to see Alex Newhook an Jeremie Bucheler respond for the Grizzlies. Alexander Campbell and Ben Thomas swapped tallies in the second, making it 3-3 going to the third and in the final frame, the teams traded tallies starting with a Ryan Nolan goal for Victoria that was followed by a Levi Glasman goal for Powell River. Campbell’s second of the game came unassisted by Glasman followed with his second as well making OT necessary. With just under four minutes in the first OT, Berard converted a Nolan Krogfoss setup to win it for the Kings. The series is tied 1-1 and Game 3 is Monday at 7 p.m. in Powell River.
In Chilliwack, it was Nick Poisson’s goal at 10:30 of the second period that stood up as the winner for the Prince George Spruce Kings in a 3-2 triumph over the Chiefs that gives PG a 2-0 series lead. Ben Poisson opened the scoring for PG at 3:09 of the first but Harrison Blaisdell replied for Chilliwack just past the midway point of the opening frame. Max Coyle put the Spruce Kings ahead early in the second period with a blast from the point on the power play and Nick Poisson followed with the winner. Chilliwack got one back from Kevin Wall later in the second but it would be the final goal of the night. Game 3 is set for Monday at 7 p.m. in Prince George.
A pair of first-period goals from Matt Gosiewski paved the way for the Wenatchee Wild in a 6-3 home win over the Cowichan Capitals that evens that series at 1-1. Brady Lynn and Cruz Cote drew the Caps back level in the second but Lucas Sowder, Brandon Koch and Mark Reifenberger all scored late in the second for the Wild to put them back in command with a 5-2 lead after 40. Paul Selleck and Brian Adams traded tallies in the third to round out the scoring. Game 3 will be Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Cowichan.