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Perfect ending for host Ice Hawks at inaugural PJHL/VIJHL all-star game

Former Delta sniper nets overtime winner while Mark Epshtein is named his team's MVP

A Hollywood script writer would have had a hard time coming up with a better ending to the inaugural Pacific Junior Hockey League/Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League all-star game, at least from the host team’s perspective.

A breakaway goal 36 seconds into overtime from North Vancouver’s Alex Suprynowicz gave the PJHL a 7-6 victory to conclude an entertaining Sunday afternoon at the Ladner Leisure Centre in front of about 250 fans.

Suprynowicz spent three seasons with the Delta Ice Hawks before being traded to the league-leading and defending champion Wolf Pack for his final year of junior eligibility. He is atop the PJHL in scoring with 71 points in 36 games.

Setting up the game winner was none other than Ice Hawks captain Mark Epshtein. The assist and an earlier goal earned him the PJHL Game MVP Award.

Full marks to North Vancouver coach Matt Samson. 

He not only had the two former teammates on the ice to start the three-on-three overtime session, he also had them on the same line for much of the game with another former Ice Hawk — Teddy Prior (Ridge Meadows). 

The PJHL opened up a 6-3 lead in the late stages of the second period but were actually fortunate the game got to overtime.

The VIJHL dominated the third period and eventually equalized with 3:01 remaining. They enjoyed a 47-26 advantage in the shot department.

A hat trick from Peninsula’s Riley Braun earned him the VIJHL Game MVP Award.

Ryleigh Anderson of the Richmond Sockeyes paced the PJHL attack with a pair of goals.