The Green Pub Moose and Spartan Auto Bulls really don’t like one another.
A week after a round-robin game which featured 23 minor penalties, the Boston Pizza Hockey League rivals resumed hostilities Monday night at Priest Valley Arena.
The Moose, who took the luxurious way to the best-of-three championship series with a pair of wins, stuffed the Spartan squad 6-2 in Game 1. The second game goes tonight (6:15) at Kal Tire Place.
Nanaimo Clipper grad Scott Kowalski pulled the hat trick for the Moose, who led 1-0 at the ice clean. Cory Hug supplied 1+3, while Aaron Hoffman and Steve Vallier also scored in support of James Scherck.
The Moose finished second in the regular season aty 19-11, 11 points back of the Bulls.
Kevin Beckner and Travis Sanderson replied for the regular-season champion Bulls, who had Travis Corrie in net. Dave Calvert produced two helpers.
The Bulls, a Salmon Arm entry, took 13 minors and the Moose were assessed nine. The Bulls outshot the Moose 28-27. Game 3, if required, goes Thursday night, 8:30, at Priest Valley.
The Bulls (24-6) took the tourist route to the final, bouncing the Godard Excavating Predators 5-3 Saturday night at Kal Tire Place.
Adam Blair, with the winner, Kevin Beckner, Shane Burgi, Calvin Berger and Jason Kusisto handled the Bulls’ offence in front of Corrie.Brett Barnard, Jim McAvoy and Sanderson each pocketed two assists.
Pete Purves, Justin Horochuk and Trevor Abel replied for the Predators, who had Chris Kingdon in net. Keith Godard earned two helpers.
The third-place Predators outshot the Bulls 20-19 with both teams collecting eight minor penalties.
The Predators stayed alive in the double-knockout by edging the sixth-place Rea-Son Electric Kings 2-1 Thursday night.
Geoff Bevan of the Preds and Mike Burke of the Kings swapped first-half snipes before Cody Keller counted the winner at 18:25 of the second half, assisted by Kyle Walters.
The Preds outshot the Kings 22-21 with Kingdon taking the win and Steve Clark the loss. The Kings were assessed five minors and the Preds four.
