Could the Oceanside Generals be the spoilers in the tight race for first place in the North Division of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League?
While languishing in last place, the Generals have hired veteran head coach Bill Bestwick (who was relieved of his GM and head coaching duties with the BCHL Victoria Grizzles on Dec. 10) and called up five B.C. Major Midget League North Island Silvertips players as well as three from the Burnaby Winter Club to bolster their lineup.
With all VIJHL teams qualifying for the playoffs, the Generals just might be a team to be reckoned with the rest of the way.
Oceanside earned a split of their weekend home-and-home series with the Comox Valley Glacier Kings, one of the three teams vying for the North Division title.
After losing 4-1 to the Icemen Jan. 10 in Courtenay, the Generals knocked off the Yetis 3-1 on Jan. 11 in Parksville. The results left the G-Kings tied for second place with the Nanaimo Buccaneers, five points back of first-place Campbell River Storm with a game in hand.
The Glacier Kings take their show on the road for their next three games, playing Jan. 16 in Nanaimo, Jan. 18 in Saanich and Jan. 19 in Parksville.
On Jan. 10 the Yetis dominated the Generals, out-shooting them 31-17 and sweeping game star honours. Nick Govig was first star, goalie Blake Pearson was second star and AP player Keegan Selva was third star.
The Icemen, with several new faces in their lineup as well, got goals from Ali Gotmy (2), Franco Colapaolo and Govig. Jonah Pearson ruined Pearson’s shutout bid with a power-play goal late in the game.
The two teams were back at it the next night in Parksville and this time it was the Generals turn to sweep game star honours. The G-Kings out-shot Oceanside 30-28 with Michael Hails taking the loss.
After Cody Eliason spotted the visitors the lead just two minutes into the game, Generals’ goalie Liam Giroux slammed the door the rest of the way.
Two goals just 40 seconds apart late in third put the home team up 2-1 and they added an empty netter to seal the deal.
ICE CHIPS Duncan Pernal continues to lead the Glacier Kings’ scoring with 42 points (20g, 22a) through 36 games …
