PJHL Play-Off Action

The Aldergrove Kodiaks came back a 1-0 second period deficit with a couple third period goals to defeat the Abbotsford Pilots 2-1 in the opening game of the Harold Britain Conference finals at the Aldergrove Arena in PIJHL playoff action on Monday in Aldergrove.

The game winning goal came off the stick of Stephen Ryan with 6:23 left in regulation time which saw goalkeeper Ross Baadsvick made 51 saves to preserve the Kodiaks victory.

The first was scoreless as the Pilots held a huge territorial edge in the opening period against the Kodiaks as starting goalkeeper Ross Baadsvick was outstanding as the Pilots held a 21-12 edge in shots.

Baadsvick made 10 key saves to preserve the scoreless game at the other end Riley Parker of the Pilots was equal to his opponent stopping all 12 shots he faced.

In the second the Pilots opened the scoring on a goal by Riley Lamb giving the visitors a 1-0 lead and could have added to it as Baadsvick continued outstanding.

Stellar play after this give his Kodiaks a chance to come back in the game as they had several quality scoring chances against the Pilots.

Tender Riley Parker who continued his solid performance keeping his team in front stopping 15 shots in the second as the headed into the final frame.

Aldergrove got the equalizer in the third as Ryan Viellet (8:14) tied the game at 1 on a set-up from Colton Precourt as the top teams in the Harold Britain Conference showcased there skills. Both tenders Ross Baadsvick and Riley Parker were playing exceptional, keeping the game tied.

The game winner was scored at 6:23 by Stephen Ryan of the Kodiaks beating Parker from the slot giving them a 2-1 lead.

Assists went to Spencer and McHaffie.

From there the Kodiaks with stood a late rally by the Pilots as Baadsvick shut the door the rest of the way to preserve the opening round victory over Abbotsford.

Ross Baadsvick finished the game with 51 saves of the 52 shots that he faced for the Kodiaks win, while Riley Lamb of the Pilots stopped 33 of 35 he faced.

Next game goes Wednesday at the Aldergrove Arena at 7:15pm, then the series shifts to Abbotsford for three games – Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

In other PIJHL action, the Delta Ice Hawks defeated the North Delta Devils in the final game of the best of seven game series with the Devils being eliminated from any further playoff action this year.

The Hawks now face off against the Richmond Sockeyes for the title of the Tom Shaw Conference.

The winner’s of both conferences play for the league Championship.

Thanks to Doug Abbott for the photo.

Special thanks to Bruce Nolte for the story.