If Port Alberni Bombers are to overtake Campbell River Storm for first place in the VIJHL’s North Division, they will need to win their games and get help from other teams. On Friday night, both those scenarios came about as the Bombers defeated the Predators 9-5 in Saanich, and Nanaimo Buccaneers upended the Storm 7-0 in Campbell River. At the end of play Friday, the Bombers sit five points behind the Storm with four games remaining. Campbell River has three games left in their campaign.
In Saanich, the Bombers evening got off to an inauspicious start when the bus they were travelling in suffered a broken rear axle as it drove through the George Pearkes Arena parking lot. Fortunately, the bus was moving at a snail’s pace at the time and no one was injured.
As for the game, other than being tied at 2-2 after one period, the Bombers were never in danger of losing the contest, although the Predators did get within one goal at 6-5 early in the third frame. But from there, the Bombers responded with three goals to win going away.
Grayson Salmon led the way for Port Alberni, firing four goals, while Sam Davidson, Zach Spafford, Kenneth Boychuk, Jack Barrett and McCall Nault added singletons. Nathan Hayes added three assists while Joel Dorn, Sean Richards and Spafford added two helpers. Nault, Boychuk, Davidson, Leim Smith and Daniel Betcher chipped in with one assist each. Tom Forrest picked up the win in the Bombers goal.
The Bombers outshot the Predators 57-23, scoring two power play goals on four opportunities, while the Predators scored once on four man advantages.
The Bombers return to the ice on Saturday night when they host Westshore Wolves in a 7:00 pm start at the Alberni Valley Multiplex.
Bombers Win Handily, Salmon Scores Four
