The Comox Valley Glacier Kings edged the Nanaimo Buccaneers 2-1 in overtime Tuesday to even their best-of-seven Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League semifinal playoff series at 2-2.
Michael Pond netted the winner 1:25 into OT. The Glacier Kings led 1-0 after one on a Brandon Halls goal and the Bucs pulled even in the second courtesy of Garrett Dunlop.
The series shifts to Nanaimo for game five on Thursday. Game six goes Saturday, March 16 in Courtenay with game time 7:30 p.m. at Comox Valley Sports Centre Arena No. 1. If needed, game seven would be played Sunday, March 17 with puck drop 3 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena in Nanaimo.
The first four games in the North Division final have all been decided by one goal. The teams split a pair of 2-1 decisions in Nanaimo, with the Bucs taking game three 6-5 on March 9 in Courtenay.
Tuesday night's game saw the Yetis outshot the Bucs 32-17 with Michael Hails picking up the win and Cameron Large taking the loss. Both teams went 0-for-5 on the power play.
Pond earned first star honours with Michael Scobie of the G-Kings second star and Large third star.
The North Division winner will face the Victoria Cougars for the VIJHL championship. The Cougars – who were the regular season champs and posted the best record in B.C. Jr. B hockey this season – dispatched the Saanich Braves 4-1 in the best-of-seven South Division final.
The VIJHL champs will be joined by the KIJHL and PJHL winners along with the Glacier Kings when the Yetis host the Cyclone Taylor Cup (B.C. Jr. B championship) from April 11-14 at the Sports Centre.
The B.C. champ advances to the Keystone Cup Western Canadian Jr. B Championship.