Mairyn Tucker supplied 2+1 as the Sladen Moore Lakers edged the Kelowna Rockets 5-4 in Okanagan Mainline Female Bantam A Hockey League playoff action Friday night at Kal Tire Place.
Game 2 in the first-round, best-of-three series goes tonight in Rutland.
The Lakers (6-4-2) trailed 1-0 after one period to the 2-8-2 Rockets, but tied it early in the second period after Samantha Head took a short pass from Brooke Berube and moved into the Rockets’ zone before being tripped up. Jenna Fletcher converted into the wide-open net.
There was a flurry of goals in the third period with Tylee Cooper counting her first of the season off a great shot from the point by Head, who was fed by Tucker.
Emily Clarke tipped a point shot from Julia McCaig before Tucker blocked a shot and provided the go -ahead goal.
Vernon took a late penalty and with Kelowna’s goalie out for a 6-on-4 powerplay, Marisssa Johnson of the Rockets completed her hat trick with 87 seconds to play.
Tucker then picked up a loose puck and sniped five hole on a breakaway for the winner with 55 seconds remaining.
In Bantam Super League action, Brennon Schwark pulled the hat trick as Corbett Office Plus Sharks ambushed Salmon Arm Dixt Auto Lumberjacks 9-4 at Shaw Centre.
Sean Howard and Nick Mitchell each supplied deuces for the 15-0 Sharks. Singles came from Jake Pelletier and Riley Bos in support of Rhys Larsen. The Jacks are 4-12.
Seb Wenger produced a pair of assists for the Sharks, who enjoyed period leads of 3-1 and 6-3.
The Sharks will receive the league banner at their matinee game today against the Interior Savings Giants at Priest Valley Arena (2:30 p.m.).
