The Port Alberni Bombers had their slim playoff hopes dealt a crushing blow as they lost 8-4 to Lake Cowichan Kraken in Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) play on Friday night in Lake Cowichan.
Trailing 2-1 and 6-2 after the first and second periods respectively, the Bombers scored twice to start the third frame, getting to within striking distance at 6-4, but the Kraken added two of their own tallies later in the frame to win going away.
Jeremy Gould, Ethan Unger, Quinn Bouchard and Ryan Christenson were the Bombers marksmen, while Iaroslav Morozov led the way for the Kraken with two goals and three assists. Lee Doyun chipped in with a goal and three helpers of his own for the Kraken, while Viktor Dudenkov added a goal a two assists.
The Bombers outshot their hosts 44-38 on the night with both teams scoring once on the power play.
The Bombers continue to trail fourth-place Campbell River Storm by nine points with nine games left to play, thanks to Nanaimo Buccaneers 5-0 win over the Storm on Friday in Campbell River.
Both the Bombers and Storm play on Sunday – the Storm travelling to Lake Cowichan to take on the Kraken, and the Bombers hosting Saanich Predators at the Alberni Valley Multiplex. The Bomber-Predator tilt begins at 6 pm at the Multiplex.
Bombers Lose Must-Win Game to Kraken
