The Port Alberni Bombers, on the strength of a 3-0 first period lead, defeated Saanich Predators 6-2 in Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) action on Friday night at the George R. Pearkes Arena in Saanich. The win improved the Bombers record to three wins and two losses in January.
Ethan Unger led the way offensively for the Bombers, scoring twice and adding an assist. Not to be outdone, Kash Nicklin, fresh off an MVP performance at the VIJHL All-Star Game last weekend in Spruce Grove, Alberta, added three assists.
Makhi Wandler, Joel Dorn, Cole Campbell and Geon Park scored the other Bomber goals. John Shields added two assists, while McCall Nault, Quinn Bouchard, Garrison Peck and Campbell added single helpers.
Joe Naccarato stopped 31 of 33 shots in picking up his eighth win of the season between the pipes for Port Alberni.
Von Parsons and Dylan Hoskins were the Predator marksmen.
The Bombers outshot their hosts 46-33 on the night, with both teams going 1-for-1 on the power play.
The Bombers win, combined with Campbell River Storm’s 2-0 win over Oceanside Generals, means the Bombers remain eleven points behind both Comox Valley Glacier Kings and Campbell River in the battle for the fourth and final playoff spot in the VIJHL’s North Division. The Bombers have eleven games remaining while the Glacier Kings and Storm have ten games left.
The Bombers will now turn their attention to Lake Cowichan Kraken who invade the Alberni Valley Multiplex on Sunday evening. Opening face-off is scheduled for 6:00 pm.
Bombers Above .500 for January
