The Number 1 Auto Body Bantam ‘A’ Tyees fired a season high 71 shots on goal and pounded the Port Alberni Bulldogs 9-1 Sunday afternoon at Weyerhaeuser Arena in Port Alberni.
The game was scoreless after the first period but Campbell River blew it open with six unanswered goals in the second. First year centre Josh Coblenz led the way, scoring once and adding four assists. Cole Rennie and Gavin Rauser each tallied twice, while singles went to Sage Lim, Grady McInnes, Devyn Grant, and Nick Klein-Beekman. Goaltender Ryan Smith had a solid game in net for the Tyees, losing his shutout bid midway through the third.
“I really liked the way our leaders played today,” said Head Coach Peter Martin. “When Gavin (Rauser), Grady (McInnes), and Joe (Gage) are out there playing unselfishly, taking short shifts, finishing their checks, and shooting the puck, the rest follow suit.”
Martin was forced to do some line juggling due to a recent spate of injuries. Centre Austin Simper found some chemistry between Rauser and McInnes, while Coblenz, Rennie, and Lim gave the Bulldog’s defence fits the entire game, combining for eleven points.
“We moved Devyn (Grant) up from defence to play with Kurtis Scriba and Tyson Goebel,” said Martin. “They did a great job of fore-checking and gave us a physical presence that we don’t always have.”
Martin gave the unsung hero award to defenceman Andy Stevens.
It was a bounce-back victory for the Tyees who were beaten 4-1 at home Saturday by the Victoria Racquet Club Kings. Coblenz registered the lone marker for Campbell River.
“Racquet Club is clearly the top team on the Island right now,” Martin said. “Plus they were missing a few players so they got to play their top line every other shift. But, they earned it, they played a strong game.”
First place Racquet Club remains on top of the Vancouver Island Tier 1 standings while Campbell River remains in the middle of the pack with a 4-4 record.
