Tyson Taylor
sports@pqbnews.com
The season has come to a close for the Save-On-Foods Oceanside Generals, as they were winners in two of their final three games.
Action from last Friday night saw the Generals come out of Saanich with a 3–2 victory over the Braves, picking up from where they left off the previous week with a 4–3 double overtime victory as well.
Wyatt Petryshen scored the game winner on Friday evening as the Generals battled all night long, taking the lead each time Saanich tied the game and closing it out without allowing a goal in the third period of play.
Daine Elphicke, 16 years old from Castlegar, opened the scoring just 46 seconds into the game. Brodie Smith tallied his 12th goal of the season to give him a total of 30 points on the year. Petryshen rounded out the night with his eighth goal of the season.
Saturday night the Generals were back at home for their final game of the 2013-2014 season. The Gens jumped out to 2–0 lead in the second period thanks to goals from Petryshen and recently committed player Jarrett Weme, his second goal in three games. The Campbell River Storm showed why they’re one of the best teams in the VIJHL though as they came back from a 2–0 deficit to win the game 4–2.
The Generals finish off the season with eight wins, 37 losses, one tie and two overtime losses to put them last in the league standings.
It was a season of many changes for the Generals and it’s something that they hope will change for next season, whether they’re back in uniform for the Generals or not.
“It’s hard when you’re out here only two times a week to practice when we’ve got teams like Campbell River who are out there everyday first thing in the morning working on their game,” Petryshen said of some of his year with the Generals.
“That sort of thing shows on the ice and you could tell with us through the year. That’s not to say the guys weren’t trying hard out there but the more you can get time in to practice can only help you out.”
The Generals already have two players committed for next season, as forward Jarrett Weme from Parksville and defenseman Josh Harvey from Port Alberni committed last week. Generals forward Brody Smith has also committed to the Cowichan Valley Capitals for next season in the BCHL.
“It’s been a dream to play here for the Generals so to see it come true is really exciting for me,” Weme said. “I was able to learn some good things from coach Bestwick while I was called up so that was good and I’m just really excited to be able to play for the hometown team next season.”
Bill Bestwick, who joined the Generals late in the season, has yet to decide what the future holds for him for next season with the Generals.
“I haven’t come to a decision with that just yet. I don’t know where I stand with it all,” Bestwick said. “I’ve had a great time coming in here and sharing what I’ve learned with this group of young men. They’re a great group of guys and I’m proud of the way they played out their season.”
