Nitehawks, Cougars To Tangle Friday

Fresh off their 1-1 draw with Delta yesterday afternoon, the Beaver Valley Nitehawks will try to jump into first place in the Cyclone Taylor Cup standings this afternoon against the Victoria Cougars (3:00 PM, MSA Arena, Abbotsford).

Nitehawks goaltender Mike Vlanich turned in a 43-save effort yesterday against the Ice Hawks in yesterday's draw. Delta went ahead late in the first period on a John Proctor power-play deflection before Dallas Calvin put home a sharp wrister from the left-wing circle late in the middle frame.

Beaver Valley's top line of Chris Derochie, Craig Martin and Ryan Edwards generated the bulk of the scoring chances, with Vlanich making a game-saving stop on Delta's leading playoff scorer Cody Fidgett on a short-handed breakaway midway through the third period.

Today they face a Cougars squad that scored three unanswered goals to nip the host Abbotsford Pilots 3-2 last night. Chris Bannister scored a natural hat-trick for the VIJHL champs.

This afternoon's game is available on pay-per-view here. The Nitehawks wrap up the round-robin portion of the tournament tomorrow night against the Pilots.