They entered the playoffs riding rocky seas, but the Oceanside Minor Hockey Association’s midget Generals navigated the first weekend of the playoffs to a perfect record.
Michael Stewart netted a hat trick — including both the winner and insurance marker in the third period — to lead the Generals past Powell River 5-3 on Sunday at Oceanside Arena. The Gens beat Campbell River on the road Saturday, something they haven’t done all season.
Generals captain Duncan Cairns was the best player on the ice for either team. He scored the game’s opening goal and added three assists, including deft passes on both of Stewart’s third-period goals.
The Generals finished the regular season with three losses, including defeats at the hands of both Campbell River and Powell River.
“Coming into this round robin, we know those were the two teams we wanted to beat,” said Generals head coach Clinton Sutherland. “Wins have been hard to come by these last few weeks, but the guys all responded — we’re playing good hockey when it matters, which is awesome.”
And they are playing a lot of hockey. Both the Gens and Powell River started the game with 13 skaters. Oceanside was down to 12 early in the second period after Drayton Pitcairn was hit hard in the head by a Powell River player. There was no call on the play.
That meant more ice time for everyone, including captain Cairns, coming off an emotional, difficult victory less than 24 hours earlier in Campbell River
“He (Cairns) double-shifted all day yesterday and double-shifted all day today – he’s a battler,” said Sutherland.
The Oceanside Midget Generals get instructions from coach Clinton Sutherland during a break in the action Sunday when they beat Powell River 5-3 in a playoff game in Parksville. — Image credit: John Harding/PQB News
Powell River coach Warren Behan was bemoaning the lack of offence from his group of forwards. This was Powell River’s first of four playoff games in this North Island round robin. The top two teams advance to play against the South Island’s top two teams.
“The local guys showed up and our guys didn’t show up ready to play,” Behan said after the game outside a quite Powell River dressing room. “Our three goals were from defenceman. We’ve got guys (forwards) who can put the puck in the net and it just didn’t happen today. It wasn’t our day and unfortunately it was a very important day. We’re not counting ourselves out at all – it’s just one game. Don’t count us out yet.”
The winning goal game early in the third period on a quick transition two-on-one led by (who else?) Cairns. He made a great pass to Stewart, who was alone in front and made no mistake on Powell River goalie Cam Stevenson.
The insurance goal came with about eight minutes left to play and was the nicest goal of the day. Cairns gained the zone and made a nifty pass to Bailey Kaario, who in turn saucered it to Stewart, who again looked at an empty cage from in close and made no mistake.
Stewart’s first goal was on the power play and put the Generals up 3-2 with seven minutes remaining in the second period. It came less than two minutes after Brett Anderson had tied the game 2-2 for Powell River with a shorthanded goal.
Stewart’s first goal wasn’t a tap-in to an empty net. He had the puck in the slot, picked his spot and fired a hard wrister, low blocker side on Stevenson.
“First hat trick of the season, it feels pretty good I’ve gotta say,” the 17-year-old Stewart said after the game.
Kaario had the Gens’ other goal after a great pass from Cairns. Kaario didn’t get good wood (carbon?) on his first attempt but persevered and jammed home a rebound from a bad angle to put the Generals up 2-0 early in the second period.
Oceanside goaltender Munroe Renoue was solid for the Generals and made a couple of big stops to preserve the lead in the third period — one on a wraparound and another on a point shot with heavy traffic in front.
Michael Behan and Spencer Jamieson had Powell River’s other goals.
The Generals play at home against Nanaimo on Saturday and in Comox on Sunday. One win in those games should secure a spot in the next round of the Tier 2 Island playoffs.
