The Port Alberni Bombers five-game winning streak came to an end on Saturday night as they dropped a 6-4 Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League decision to Kerry Park Islanders in Mill Bay.
Port Alberni took an early 2-0 lead just over six minutes into the contest, but five straight Islander goals on either side of the first intermission proved to be too much for the Bombers. A surge by the Bombers pulled them to within one goal early in the third frame, but an empty-net marker by the league-leading Islanders sealed the locals fate.
The Bombers outshot the high-flying Islanders 43-34 on the evening, including a 14 shot advantage over the final two frames.
Zach Spafford had two goals and an assist for the Bombers, while Owen Ditzel and Kai Verbrugge scored the other goals. Ditzel and Joel Dorn added one assist each.
The Islanders scored their goals in bunches – two goals 12 seconds apart in the first period to erase the Bombers early lead, and then three goals in three minutes and 10 seconds to start the second frame, taking what proved to be an insurmountable 5-2 advantage.
Bryce Burnett scored four goals for the hosts, including the empty-netter with six seconds remaining. Brody Lindal and Filip Nyberg scored the others.
Tempers flared somewhat after the empty-netter as both teams were assessed a number of 10-minute misconduct and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. The exact amount had not been tallied at publishing time.
The Bombers next game is Friday when they travel to Campbell River to face the Storm in a 7:30 pm start at the Rod Brind’Amour Arena. The following night they return to the friendly confines of the Alberni Valley Multiplex to face Peninsula Panthers. Game time is 7:00 pm.
Standings watch – Bombers clinched a playoff spot with their win on Wednesday against Oceanside Generals and secured at least a second-place finish when Comox Valley Glacier Kings lost on Saturday night. They can still finish in first place, but will need some help, as they trail Campbell River by 11 points with eight games remaining.