The Saanich Braves used a big third period to post a 6-4 win over the Comox Valley Glacier Kings in Oct. 30 Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League action at George Pearkes Arena.
The teams were evenly matched through the first two periods, with the Glacier Kings up 2-1 after one and the scored knotted at 3-3 after two. But the Braves took over in the final frame, out-shooting the Yetis 18-8 and out-scoring them 3-1 to skate off with the win.
Ronnie Wilkie paced the G-Kings with a pair of goals while Brandon McReynolds and Jake McKenzie added one each. Kyle Wade had two assists.
Both teams went 3-for-7 on the power play. Saanich out-shot Comox Valley 40-29 with Braddock Otton taking the loss.
All the first period scoring came on power plays: Wilkie at 6:18 and McReynolds at 14:31 with Dale McCabe replying for the Braves at 10:48.
Saanich went ahead 3-2 in the second on goals by Keven Moreau at 12:52 and Scott Henderson at 16:22, with Wilkie’s second PP marker of the game pulling the Yetis even at 19:43.
Power-play goals by Nick Kean at 5:51 and Evan Horvath at 11:13 plus an even-strength tally by Marcus Divincenzo at 16:14 gave the Braves a commanding 6-3 lead in the third. McKenzie got one back for the G-Kings with 35 seconds left, but it was too little too late.
The loss dropped the Icemen to third place in the tight race for top spot in the North Division.
The Nanaimo Buccaneers have won their last three games and are now in first place with 26 points (12-5-1-1) while Campbell River Storm are second with 22 points (10-5-1-1) followed by the G-Kings with 21 points (9-6-0-3).
The Yetis will be looking to make up some ground this week when they visit the Victoria Cougars on Nov. 5 and host the Bucs on Nov. 7 (7:30 p.m. Sports Centre Arena #1).
ICE CHIPS The Glacier Kings wore special pink jerseys in October and auctioned them off to raise money for breast cancer research … in November they will be saluting “Movember” by wearing and auctioning blue jerseys with proceeds going to support prostate cancer research and men’s health …
