After a weekend away from league play, the Midget A Victoria Ice Hawks are taking aim at top spot in the Tier 2 division of the Vancouver Island Amateur Hockey Association’s Island League with two games on the calendar. While currently in fourth place with a 2-1-1 record, notching four points this weekend could pull them within range of top-seeded Cowichan, currently sitting with eight points (4-1-0) and a game in hand.
Victoria takes on the Sooke Thunderbirds at 5:15 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, at Oak Bay Rec Centre. On Sunday, the Oak Bay/Victoria team is on the road, taking on the sixth-place Peninsula A team at Panorama Rec Centre. The puck drops at 12:30 p.m. and Ice Hawks fans would be most welcome.
Following a weekend sweep, the VIJHL’s second-place Victoria Cougars look to keep their modest two-game win streak alive when they step onto the ice at Pearkes Rec Centre to play the Saanich Junior Braves at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28. In the second game of the home-and-home match-up, the Cougars return to their own Archie Browning barn Thursday, Dec. 4 to battle the Braves again. Game time is 7 p.m.
With another hard-fought volleyball season netting two Island championships, Oak Bay Highs powerhouse senior boys and girls teams are travelling to their respective provincial championships this week. The boys are competing at the Langley Events Centre Nov. 26 to 29 while the girls will vie for the gold medal in Cranbrook Nov. 27 to 29. Go Breakers.
In Gold-level soccer action, the Bays United Girls U18 squad visits Cowichan Valley U18 on Sunday, Nov. 30, while on the boys’ side, the Bays United U18 team hosts Saanich Fusion U17s.
The University of Victoria Vikes have a busy weekend around the region.
After tough road losses in Saskatchewan this past weekend, both the men’s and women’s basketball teams return home to host Alberta University in a two-day double-header. The women tip-off at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28 at McKinnon Gym, followed by the men at 8 p.m. Games start at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29.
UVic’s men’s field hockey team squares off against the Vancouver Hawks Saturday for a 2 p.m. home game at the UVic field hockey turf, while the Vikes’ swim squad dives in to their last competition of the calendar year Dec. 5-7 as part of the 12th annual PCS Christmas Cracker meet. All events are taking place at Saanich Commonwealth Place.
On the rugby pitch, following a 36-36 tie against the Vancouver Rowers, the UVic men’s rugby team will take on the Castaway Wanderers Saturday. Game time is 2:30 p.m. on Wallace Field.
For the families of younger Castaways, the club hosts a Dec. 3 Coaches and Parent Mingle at the Discovery Sport Centre. All junior, mini and girls rugby parents are invited to enjoy refreshments, meet the coaches and celebrate another year of Castaway Wanderer rugby. Visit cwrugby.com for details and to RSVP. Castaways’ home games are played at Oak Bay’s Windsor and Carnarvon parks.
In youth sports, Oak Bay hockey fans can keep the season going with the Greater Victoria Minor Ball Hockey Association, which has opened registration for the coming spring season. Running late March to late June and welcoming players from across the region, the league offers recreational play for children and youth born between 1999 and 2010. Visit vmbh.ca for details.
Grade 12 student Devon Gall is an avid sports fan, athlete and former Carnarvon baseball player. Send your sports events news to jocktalk@telus.net.
