The Save–On–Foods Oceanside Generals are on a bit of a roll, winning two out of three games last week and four of their last seven games in November.
Coming off a 6-3 loss to the Westshore Wolves Saturday night, where they were out-shot 53-19, the Gens needed to rebound against the Comox Valley Glacier Kings on Sunday afternoon.
Scoring four goals in the first period, the Gens would go on to add two more, beating the Glacier Kings 6–4.
“I think it was a wake up call for us,” assistant coach Jerry Bickerton said. “We came in to Saturday night’s game against Westshore feeling pretty confident, I’ll say a little over confident, and we paid for it as a team.”
“I told the boys after that game that you can’t get too low when you lose or too high when you win, you’ve got to find that balance somewhere in the middle. They took that message to heart and we gave a much better effort against Comox.”
Forward Ethan Sundstrum continued his recent productive play, putting up three points (two goals, one assist) in the win on Sunday. That pushes his total 13 points in the last seven games.
Mathieu Jallabert has also been on a hot streak, racking up four assists in the win against Comox Valley. He’s up to 11 points (one goal, 10 assists) in his last seven as well.
Goaltender Matt Henwood, 16, earned both wins this week for the Gens in net, pushing his record to 4-2 on the season. Henwood, who also notched an assist Sunday against the Glacier Kings, has been in net for the Gen’s last four wins.
“He’s had the hot hand for us,” Bickerton said. “He’s playing with a ton of confidence in himself and his abilities, he’s out challenging shots and putting rebounds in the corners and that’s what you need with a goalie.”
“We’ve needed him in the games he’s started and he’s been there for us. We keep wondering when that streak will end but it doesn’t seem to be, he’s been playing very well for us.”
Henwood said he’s just taking it one game at a time.
“It’s been fun out there,” he said. “I’m a pretty easy going guy and I like to keep things loose, have fun on the ice and in the dressing room.”
“I try to stay relaxed heading into a game and I think that’s helped me really prepare for games. I’m feeling pretty good with how I’ve been playing and I’m just hoping I can keep it up going forward.”
The Generals are back in action against the Saanich Braves this Wednesday in Saanich, then they return home to host the Nanaimo Buccaneers 7 p.m. Saturday in Howie Meeker Arena at Oceanside Place.
