Deserving a better fate, the Port Alberni Bombers dropped a 2-1 decision to Comox Valley Glacier Kings on Saturday evening in Courtenay.
Outshooting their hosts 47-25, and hemming the Glacier Kings into their own end for virtually the entirety of the third period, the Bombers couldn’t solve Kings net minder Aaron Pichette who was named the game’s first star.
Leim Smith scored the lone Bombers goal, his fifth of the season, with assists from Sean Richards and Grayson Salmon.
Ryan Harris and Preston Muxlow scored for the Glacier Kings.
Evan Grant took the loss in the Bombers’ goal. Grant, steady, if not spectacular, made a number of key saves to keep his team close as Comox Valley had a number of quality opportunities, most of them on the counter-attack.
The loss didn’t impact the Bombers’ place in the VIJHL North Division standings. They remain in second place, three points behind Campbell River Storm and two points ahead of third-place Nanaimo Buccaneers.
The Bombers next game is Friday, October 11 when they travel to Lake Cowichan to take on the Kraken. The following night they host Kerry Park Islanders at the Alberni Valley Multiplex in a 7:00 pm start.