The Williams Lake Stampeders will need two straight victories this weekend to stay alive when they host the Terrace River Kings in the Central Interior Hockey League playoff final.
Williams Lake fell 7-3 on the road to the River Kings last Saturday in game one of the best-of-three series.
Tied 1-1 after one period of play following goals from Terrace’s Steve Cullis and Williams Lake’s Caleb Roy, the River Kings opened it up in the second and third period, including potting three short handed markers.
Matt Lees gave the Stampeders a brief 2-1 lead six minutes into the second frame, before Terrace answered back with three consecutive goals from Jordan Peddle, Josh Murray and Chapen Leblond (short handed).
Jassi Sangha cut the deficit to 4-2 just 30 seconds into the third period, however, the River Kings again answered back with a trio of tallies. Tristan Murray scored twice, including one shorthanded goal, before Leblond capped off the scoring, also shorthanded, with three minutes left to play.
The River Kings outshot the Stampeders 43-34 in the contest.
Game two of the CIHL final goes Saturday starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex before game three, if necessary, starts Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
