The wait may have seemed long for some, but hockey season has returned.
With the Victoria Cougars finishing the preseason undefeated, Oak Bay hockey fans will want to catch the Cougars’ regular season opener Thursday, Sept. 10 against the Kerry Park Islanders. Puck drops at 7 p.m. at the Archie Browning Rec Centre. The Cougs travel to Peninsula Friday, Sept. 11 to take on the Panthers, with game time scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Panorama Rec Centre.
Looking to score tickets for the Kraft Hockeyville pre-season NHL game between the Vancouver Canucks and the San Jose Sharks at the Q Centre Sept. 21? This is the weekend! Head to Panorama Rec Centre from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, or 12 to 6 p.m. Sunday,
Sept. 6, to place your ballot for a chance to win two tickets to the game. You must be 19 years of age or older and provide photo ID as proof of age.
While the University of Victoria men’s soccer team is on the road this Saturday, Sept. 5 at the University of British Columbia, the women’s team is in action at Centennial Stadium, welcoming the UBC Thunderbirds. Kick-off is at 5 p.m. Coming up next weekend, the men host the University of Northern B.C. at 7:15 p.m. Sept. 11, while the women’s team is on the road at Abbotsford’s Panther Field, facing Fraser Valley.
It’s back to the field for those wanting to join Fall Ball with the Victoria Mariners, which has also launched its Bantam Premier Team to join the already established Junior Premier and Premier Teams.
A Fall Ball introduction for Bantam and Junior Premier-age players is scheduled for this Saturday, Sept. 5 at Layritz Park. Bantams begin at 9:45 a.m. while the JP players take to the field at 11:45 a.m. Games at all levels are scheduled to start next weekend. For details, visit victoriamariners.pointstreaksites.com.
The Victoria Eagles fall instructional league is also underway with both registered and drop-in sessions available at Layritz and Lambrick parks. Weekend games begin this Saturday, with the Juniors’ opening pitch at 12 p.m. and the Seniors taking the field at 2:30 p.m.
Carnarvon and Nanaimo ball clubs have announced fastball tryouts for a U16 Vancouver Island Outlaws team. Two sessions are planned: Sept. 13 at Aggie Fields in Ladysmith from 12 to 3 p.m. and at Oak Bay Fireman’s Park from 12 to 3 p.m. Sept. 20. Also coming up for Carnarvon Ball Club is its Annual General Meeting Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. in the Oak Bay Rec Centre Sports View Lounge, followed by Volunteer Appreciation Night.
Oak Bay runners mark your calenders: the Victoria Marathon is looking for avid runners and running enthusiasts to participate or volunteer for this year’s race. Don’t miss the Sept. 15 regular-priced registration deadline; after that date, late registration rates apply. Learn more at runvictoriamarathon.com.
