The Port Alberni Bombers, on the tail of a season-ending six-game winning streak, began their Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) playoff quest with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Comox Valley Glacier Kings on Wednesday night at the Alberni Valley Multiplex. The win gives the Bombers a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
After a scoreless first period the Bombers scored three goals in the second frame, two early and one late, to take a commanding lead. Leim Smith got things going with a power play marker just over three minutes into the period and Grayson Salmon scored what proved to be the insurance marker just over two minutes later. Kenneth Boychuk made the score 3-0 at 19:46, converting a three-way passing play with Sean Richards and Solstice Tennant, firing a shot that caromed into the net off the post, and the game was, for all intents and purposes, over.
The Bombers added another goal in the third frame – Kash Nicklin scoring on a setup from Grayson Salmon and Kai Verbrugge to round out the scoring for the evening.
Owen Ditzel and Zach Spafford also had assists, while Richards had two helpers on the night.
Evan Grant picked up the win and the shutout stopping 15 shots, including three Glacier King opportunities early-on that could have changed the complexion of the game.
The Bombers outshot the Glacier Kings 39-15 on the evening and were 1-for-5 on the power play while not allowing Comox Valley any time on the power play.
The next game in the series is Friday evening at the Comox Valley Sports Centre. Opening face-off is scheduled for 7:30 pm. The two teams return to the Alberni Valley Multiplex for Game 3 on Sunday evening, with the opening face-off scheduled an hour earlier than usual, at 6:00 pm.
Bombers Win North Division Semifinal Opener
