The Campbell River Storm finally managed to eliminate tenacious first-year VIJHL franchise, the Port Alberni Bombers, inflicting a 4-1 loss to them in Game 7 of the North Division playoffs. held at the Rod Brind’Amour Arena in Campbell River on Tuesday March 8th.

The division leaders were pushed to the limit by regular-season fourth-place finishers playing their first season in the VIJHL. Riding on the heroism of Bombers goaltender Callum Tung, Port Alberni had the Storm on the brink with the series lead after Game 5. The Storm, however, showed their quality in the last two games by beating the Bombers 3- 0 in Game 6 to keep their playoff hopes alive heading into Game 7 at home on Tuesday night.

The Storm got off to a quick start with a goal from Jalen Price, their fifth in the series, at 2:42 into the first period on a pass from Nolan Corrado. The Bombers looked like they weren’t going away without a fight and tied the game at 4:09 with an unassisted goal from Robbie Steel.

The Storm quickly responded to that goal with a power-play goal from Shaw Cathcart with their first of the playoffs on assists from Davis Frank and Cody Savey at 5:50.

The second period saw no goals, then Ben Coghlan got an insurance scorer at 15:46 in the third period unassisted.

It was a fairly subdued affair with only three minor penalties, including two against the Storm. Bombers goaltender Tung again faced a barrage of shots, 48 ​​in total while opponent Nick Peters in the Storm net faced 14 shots.

The Storm will now face the Oceanside Generals with the series beginning Friday, March 11 at Rod Brind’Amour Arena.

For the Bombers, no one wants to lose a playoff, but the franchise needs to consider its first season a success by making the playoffs and pushing the league leaders to seven games.

Campbell River StormPORT ALBERNIVIJHL