Tyson Taylor
sports@pqbnews.com
It was an uphill battle for the Save–On–Foods Oceanside Generals on Saturday evening as they were on the losing end of a 6 – 2 game to the Kerry Park Islanders.
Earlier in the week, the Generals had a victory in hand on Wednesday night against the Westshore Wolves, but a third period lapse saw them lose 5 – 4.
“I thought we played very well for 57 minutes of the game, it was just some mental mistakes that cost us the game,” said coach Dan Lemmon. “It’s tough on the road but if we just simplify our game, they don’t score those goals.”
The Wednesday game saw two new faces mixed into the lineup with Devin Warfield and Michael Markland. Both were able to pitch in and help out with assists on the evening. Brodie Smith (1G, 1A) and Connor McNary (2A) had two points each, while Cory Burnett, Travis Flug and Chase Gaudreault rounded out the scoring on that night for the Gens.
“It’s definitely been exciting. We’re not getting the wins like we want to but we’ve been getting a lot better. We’re really coming together and it’s helping on and off the ice,” captain Travis Flug said of the newcomers.
Saturday night’s game against Kerry Park was a different story.
Liam Giroux got the start in net for Oceanside, who were down early as Kerry Park scored just over a minute into the game. Two minutes later the Gens found themselves in a 2 – 0 hole and that was enough for Giroux to get the hook and see Evgeuni Makarski take over.
That change wasn’t the spark the Generals were looking for though, as Kerry Park went on to score two more goals in the opening frame to go up 4 – 0 at the first intermission.
Giroux was back between the pipes to start the second period and the Generals seemed a little more focused. With about five minutes left in the second, the Generals frustration came to a boiling point and a line brawl ensued with lots of fists flying and some penalty minutes being dished out.
The third wasn’t much different as Kerry Park stretched their lead to 5 – 0 but Oceanside wasn’t about to quit at that point.
Just past the 12-minute mark, Markland found the back of the net and that seemed to pump some life back into the Generals. A minute later, Logan Savard tallied a goal to cut the lead down to three, but it proved to be too much on this night for Oceanside.
The Generals are back down island to face the Saanich Braves on Friday and then will be home Saturday night to face the Nanaimo Buccaneers at 7:30 p.m.
