Bombers Defeat Panthers in Exciting Tilt

The Port Alberni Bombers defeated Peninsula Panthers 1-0 on Saturday night at the Alberni Valley Multiplex, picking up their fourth straight Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) win and second consecutive shutout in the process.
In a game dominated by the goaltenders, Zach Spafford scored the only goal of the night, banging home a rebound at 4:33 of the first period. Nathan Hayes and Jack Barrett had the assists.
The visitors outshot the Bombers 45-28 on the evening. Panther goaltender Jacob Walsh made a number of quality saves, while Bombers net minder Evan Grant actually made things look easy (if one can say that about a 45-save performance) in picking up his first shutout of the season. Grant’s shutout, along with Damien Knackstedt’s blanking of Saanich on Friday night and Tom Forrest’s whitewash of Oceanside in the last game before the Christmas break means all three Bomber backstops have recorded a shutout in the 2024-25 campaign.
The Bombers will look to extend their winning streak when they face the Generals on Wednesday night at the Multiplex in a 7:00 pm start.