With one point separating second and fifth place, the Trail Commercial Hockey League playoff picture is getting more unpredictable every game.
The high-powered but defensively challenged Arlington knocked off league-leading OK Tire on Saturday 9-6, with Pat Iannone netting four goals and three assists to draw the team even with Re/Max and Gericks in a three-way tie for third place.
The Big A has tallied more goals than any team in the league (143) but also has allowed more goals than any of its rivals, and relied heavily on its offence to stun the Tire and pull out the victory on Saturday.
The Tire took a 3-2 first-period lead and led 6-5 after two on the strength of four goals from Troy Palmer and a pair from Tristan Reid. The Arlington’s Iannone tallied two through two periods and Darryl Zol, Matt Proulx, and Al McMartin netted singles to set up a wild four-goal third period. Kris Davis tied it early and Iannone iced it with the winner and insurance marker for his league-leading 44th goal, before Proulx notched his second of the night to round out the scoring and the 9-6 victory. Jeremy Robinson also pitched in with five assists, while McMartin tallied four helpers for a five-point night.
Allstar, meanwhile, was out of a playoff spot a few weeks ago, but now owns sole possession of second place thanks to back-to-back wins that included a 7-2 drubbing of Gericks, Saturday.
Jason Proulx counted a hat trick and Andrew Jenner scored twice, with James Booth and Walker Sidoni pitching in for the team’s 12th victory of the season. Mike Turner and Noah Stone replied for Gericks, a team that has struggled of late losing 3-2 to the Tire on Thursday, while Allstar downed Re/Max 6-2.
The Arlington faces Re/Max at 7:15 p.m. and Allstar plays Gericks at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Cominco Arena. TCHL continues on Saturday with Re/Max going against the Big A at 8:15 p.m. and OK Tire facing off against Allstar.