Huge win for Braves at home
Second star Jamie Vlanich of the Castlegar Rebels had Braves for bookends Monday night following a major turnaround in the fortunes of the Spokane Braves in the first round KIJHL payoff series between the two teams.
Spokane's Dylan Tappe earned first star honours with the winning marker (assisted by Sean Collins) coming just 38 seconds before the end of the first overtime period while goaltender Matt Zenzola was third star. It was Vlanich scoring (from Travis Wellman) for the visitors. The earlier goal for the home side came courtesy of Coleman MacDonald assisted by Austin Gabriel and John Ryskamp.
The final was a 2-1 overtime win for the squad that had been punished in the first two games in Castlegar by a combined score of 18-1.
Needless to say – a massive momentum shift going into game three Tuesday night, again in Spokane.
This was a showcase for goalies with each team mustering 51 shots.
Connor Beauchamp was in nets for the visitors.