Ryan Strange scored with 9:23 remaining in the third period to give the Saanich Braves a 4-3 win over the visiting Nanaimo Buccaneers Monday night.
The victory evens the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League semifinal at two games apiece, as the teams head back to Nanaimo Thursday night. Game 6 goes Friday at 6:30 p.m. in Pearkes Arena.
Gavin Grewal opened the scoring for the Braves in the first period, erasing an early Nanaimo lead, with Dale McCabe putting Saanich ahead just over a minute later.
Brandon Roberge, Seamus O’Toole and Trent Bell scored for the Bucs, who pulled even early in the third period. Riley Mathieson made 35 saves in the win, while Derek Krall faced 39 shots in a losing effort.