The Port Alberni Bombers dropped a 5-3 Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League decision to Lake Cowichan Kraken on Friday night in Lake Cowichan.
Battling back from an 0-2 deficit, the Bombers tied the score at 2-2 just after the mid-point of the second frame, but a Kraken goal with less than a minute remaining in the period but the hosts ahead to stay at 3-2.
The teams traded third period markers, but an empty-net goal gave the Kraken the two-goal margin of victory.
Jonny Timmons, Landon Turgeon and Owen Ditzel scored for the Bombers. Ditzel, Kane Dickerson and Casey Rutland added assists.
The Bombers return home on Saturday night to face the Campbell River Storm in a 7:00 pm start at the Alberni Valley Multiplex.