Isles sending five to VIJHL all-star game

Five players will represent the Kerry Park Islanders in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League all-star game.

Islander all-star Lynden Eddy celebrates a goal with his teammates.

Islander all-star Lynden Eddy celebrates a goal with his teammates.

Five players — including two goalies — will represent the Kerry Park Islanders in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League all-star game at Bear Mountain Arena this Sunday.

Forwards Ryan Paisley and Zack Smith and defenceman Lynden Eddy will be joined by netminders Chase Anderson and Ty Rennie.

The skaters are all 20-year-olds in their final year of junior eligibility. Paisley is having a career season, leading the Isles in goals with 16 through 37 games and sharing the points lead (29) with Keenan Eddy. Smith tied for the team lead in goals last year and is second to Paisley this year with 14 so far.

Lynden Eddy leads all Kerry Park defenceman with 25 points, tied with Smith’s total, in addition to providing consistency and leadership on the blueline.

“Lynden has been steady Eddy back there all year,” Islanders owner Mark Osmond said.

Both Kerry Park goalies will appear in the game as well, as the all-stars at that position were determined based on the save-percentage rankings as of Dec. 1, and both Anderson and Rennie were among the South Division’s best three goalies in that stat at the time. As of

Jan. 14, Anderson had a .904 save percentage, and Rennie’s was at .886.

“They’ve faced a lot of shots,” Islanders owner Mark Osmond said. “I’m glad it was decided on save percentage and not goals-against average.”

The Isles will try to retain second place in the South Division as they visit the Campbell River Storm this Friday and host the Oceanside Generals at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

 

Cowichan Valley Citizen