Travis Goodwin scored on his own rebound late in the third period to give the Number 1 Auto Body Bantam A Tyees a 5-4 upset victory over the previously undefeated Nanaimo Clippers in a game played Saturday afternoon in the Harbour City.
It was the third win in a row for the surging Tyees as they climbed back to the .500 mark in the extremely competitive Vancouver Island Tier 1 division.
Their record currently stands at three wins and three losses.
Goodwin’s winner was his second goal and third point of the contest. Campbell River also recorded a pair of short-handed markers, one each by Joe Gage and Grady McInnes.
Tyson Goebel rounded out the scoring and Nic Kirchner was outstanding in net for the Tyees.
“There was a sense of confidence in the dressing room prior to the game,” said head coach Peter Martin.
“I think that’s a reflection of all the time, effort, and hard work the players have put in during the past month.”
Martin also liked the resilience his club demonstrated as they were forced to come from behind twice to pull out the win.
“I thought the turning point was the four minute penalty we killed during the second period – not only did we kill it but Joe Gage scored short-handed.”
On Sunday the Tyees travelled to Port Alberni for an exhibition game and fought to a 4-4 tie with the Bulldogs.
Josh Coblenz registered his first hat trick of the season and Goodwin scored on the power play for Campbell River.
“That was a tough one to get up for after such an important, emotional win over Nanaimo,” said Martin.
“Port Alberni is a big, physical team and although we outplayed them most of the game they are very good at the counter attack.”
The two teams meet again later this month in a regularly scheduled league game.
The Tyees will attempt to keep their winning streak alive this weekend when they travel to the Lower Mainland.
They take Semiahmoo, Richmond, and North Delta in a trio of exhibition games.