Every game the Kerry Park Islanders have played so far in the young Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League season has been better than the last.
Following that trajectory, the Isles were bound to get in the win column sooner rather than later, and they chalked up their first victory last Saturday, beating the Westshore Wolves 4-2 just two days after a narrow 3-2 loss at the hands of the Nanaimo Buccaneers.
“Our game has definitely improved in all four games we’ve played this year,” Kerry Park head coach Aaron Spotts said. “I thought we went up to Nanaimo on Thursday night and put in our best effort of the year to that point. The first weekend, there were a lot of nerves for the guys who hadn’t played in this league before. This weekend, they were more confident.”
Dawson Blanchette, Cole Amado and Evan Easton each collected a goal and an assist in Saturday’s win at Kerry Park Arena, and Brandon McClintick scored the winning tally on a second-period powerplay as the Isles doubled up on the Wolves.
Newcomer Blanchette helped patch up a battered defence corps when he arrived on the Island late last week, providing stability at both ends of the ice and leadership beyond what would be expected from an 18-year-old.
“He really helped calm things down on the back end and provided some spark to the lineup,” Spotts said. “He will be a big asset for us this season.”
Both goalies — Rett Rook for Kerry Park and Jordan Spandli for Westshore — faced 40 shots, but Rook made two more saves than the Wolves’ netminder. Rook returned to the Isles after playing last season in the Maritimes, and has made steady improvements over the four games.
“Obviously, I’ve had Rett before, so I know what he’s capable of as a goalie. With more support on the back end, he’s more confident as well.”
In Nanaimo last Thursday, the Bucs scored twice in the first period. Brendan Martin answered back for the Isles with a powerplay goal in the second, but Nanaimo restored their two-goal lead less than two minutes later. Tanner Tiel made it close again with a third-period powerplay marker. The Isles were outshot 37-23, with Rook making 34 saves.
“We took a few undisciplined penalties,” Spotts noted. “But we talked about that and we’re trying to get that under control.”
The Isles sit fourth in the South Division with one win and three losses, but Spotts isn’t concerned about the record this early in the campaign.
“I’m not worried about wins and losses,” he said. “I just want guys buying into what we’re trying to do this year.”
The Isles visit the Campbell River Storm on Friday, then host Nanaimo on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
“They’ll be two tough tests,” Spotts said. “We’ll make sure we’re ready to go. If we get two 60-minute games, we’ll give ourselves a chance to win.”
