Demico Hannoun scored twice as the host Surrey Eagles jumpstarted Round 2 of the B.C. Hockey League playoffs with a 4-0 win over the Chilliwack Chiefs.
Ex-Vernon Viper Adam Tambellini counted an assist for Surrey in support of first-star netminder Michael Santaguida, who finished with 24 saves.
All of the Eagles’ offence came in the opening period, with Brady Shaw and Trevor Cameron rounding out the scoring in front of 1,200 fans.
Game 2 of the best-of-five Coastal Conference semifinal set went Saturday at South Surrey Arena.
In the other Coastal semi, former Viper Pearce Eviston netted a shorthanded goal and second star as the host Victoria Grizzles bounced the Alberni Valley Bulldogs 3-2 Friday at Bear Mountain Arena.
Leo Fitzgerald (powerplay) and David Walchuk, with the winner in the second period, handled the attack in front of Brady Roleau, who faced just 18 shots. Chase Van Allen and Evan Tironese scored in support of Dawgs’ keeper Jay Deo (32 saves).
The best-of-seven Interior Conference final between the No. 1 seeded Penticton Vees and No. 2 West Kelowna Warriors begins Friday at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Meanwhile, former Vernon Viper defenceman Steve Weinstein has been recognized as an Atlantic Hockey second-team all-star.
The Los Angeles native was the NCAA Division 1 Bentley Falcons’ most consistent defenceman this season, finishing with six goals for 25 points in 35 games.
Weinstein is third in scoring among Atlantic Hockey d-men and 15th nationally in points per game (0.71).
Weinstein also produced a plus-8 rating during the season.
With the Vipers, Weinstein, 22, won three straight Fred Page Cup league titles and back-to-back RBC Cup national championships in 2009 and 2010.
Meanwhile, captain Luke Lochart pocketed the equalizer and overtime winner as the Seattle Thunderbirds upended the host Kelowna Rockets 5-4 in Game 1 of their WHL Western Conference playoff opener Friday night at Prospera Place.
Roberts Lipsbergs and Jesse Forsberg each added 1+2 for Seattle, who got a single from Riley Sheen and 35 saves from Brandon Glover.
Myles Bell, Damon Severson, Dylen McKinlay and Tyson Baillie replied for the Rockets, who got 45 saves from Jordon Cooke.
Stephane Legault collected 3+4 as Curtis Lazar’s Edmonton Oil Kings thumped Zach McPhee’s Kootenay Ice 9-0 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference playoff opener Friday at Rexall Place.
