A former Trail Smoke Eater led the Penticton Vees to victory, with two third-period goals to come back and defeat the Salmon Arm SilverBacks 4-2 and take a 2-0 series lead.
Harlan Orr and Shane Hanna scored in the second to give the ‘Backs a 2-1 lead after two, but former Smokie and Cranbrook native Sam Mellor, Thomas Nitsche and Mellor again scored to complete the comeback.
Josh Monk’s overtime winner gave the West Kelowna Warriors a 3-2 win in Game 2 and a 2-0 series lead on the Merritt Centennials. Silvan Harper opened the scoring for Merritt with the only goal of the first but Daniel Gayle tied it early in the second. Regan Soquila and Ambrose Firkus swapped goals in the third, setting the stage for OT where Monk ended it at the 10:27 mark.
Frustrated after outshooting the Prince George Spruce Kings badly in Game 1 but losing 3-1, the Chilliwack Chiefs took out some aggression with a 10-1 win in Game 2, while the Langley Rivermen turned the tables on the Surrey Eagles with a 1-0 win in Game 2 after being blanked 2-0 themselves in Friday’s opener.
Michael Santaguida was good in the Eagles net making 37 saves to earn second Star.
Trevor Fitzgerald’s goal 2:01 into overtime, his second of the game, gave the Nanaimo Clippers a 3-2 win over the Alberni Valley Bulldogs and put the Clips up 2-0 in the best-of-five series.
The Powell River Kings fell behind early in Game 2 but replied 25 seconds later and went on to a 3-1 win over the Victoria Grizzlies. Luke Nogard tied the game after Zach Urban had put Victoria ahead. Evan Richardson’s goal late in the first on the power play was the winner and Teagan Waugh had the insurance midway through the second. Jonah Imoo got the win with 24 saves.