The Port Alberni Bombers, led by the three goals of Sean Richards, defeated the Victoria Cougars 5-3 in Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League play at the Alberni Valley Multiplex on Saturday evening.
In a high-spirited affair that saw both teams control the game at times, the Bombers prevailed in the end, but not before the Cougars made things interesting. The visitors scored twice in the third period to draw within one goal, at 4-3, only to see the Bombers get a late insurance goal off the stick of Richards to escape with the win.
Zach Spafford and Jack Barrett scored the other Bomber goals, while Daniel Betcher added three assists. Leim Smith and Grayson Salmon added two assists as well.
Tom Forrest picked up the win in the Bomber goal, stopping 34 of 37 shots and was named second star on the evening. Richards was awarded first star for his efforts, while Kelton Shinde was in on every Cougar goal, scoring two and adding an assist to pick up third star honors.
The Bombers return to the ice on Sunday afternoon when they travel to Campbell River for a 4:00 pm game against the North Division-leading Storm.
The locals then travel to The Q Centre on Wednesday for a meeting with the Westshore Wolves and return to the Alberni Valley Multiplex next Saturday afternoon at 2:00 pm when they face Nanaimo Buccaneers.