Saturday, March 24, 2012 - Submitted by BCHL Media
The Surrey Eagles were 8:10 from earning their ticket to the second round, but once again the Cowichan Valley Capitals wouldn’t lay down.
Capitals defenceman Brayden Sherbinin tied things up 4-4 to push the game into overtime, and with two minutes remaining in OT Caps defenceman Vinny Muto was able to score the unassisted, game-winning goal to force a decisive Game 7 Saturday night.
Eagles defenceman Devon Toews was able to score the first hat trick of the playoffs despite the loss, while Caps forward Brett Knowles jumped to the top in playoff scoring with four points in the contest.
After heating up in this playoffs for the Eagles, goalie Andrew Hunt cooled off a bit by allowing five of 37 shots in net. The Capitals will be on the road at Surrey to play the decisive Game 7.
After surprisingly giving up two games to #4 Chilliwack Chiefs, the #1 Penticton Vees finally finished off the Chiefs with 4-0 shutout to move on the next round.
Goalie Chad Katunar was the game’s 1st Star, stopping all 32 shots from the Chiefs to earn the first shutout of these playoffs. Vees top scorer Joey Benik was able to get involved, earning three points in the contest while Interior Rookie of the Year Mario Lucia continued his solid play with a goal and an assist in the win. The Vees go up against the Merritt Centennials who are fresh off a 4-0 sweep of the Prince George Spruce Kings.
Not to be outdone by a fellow #1 seed the Powell River Kings closed out their series versus the Coquitlam Express with a 4-1 win. Coastal MVP Alex Petan was the only Express player able to put points on the board, as Kings used their defensive prowess to keep Coquitlam from mounting a comeback. 1st Star went to Kings forward Teal Burns, who had an assist on the Kings’ first and second goal, and sealed the win with a power play goal halfway through the third. The Kings await the winner of the Capitals/Eagles Game 7 tonight.
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