The Oceanside Generals scored their second consecutive win when they upset the top team in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League, the Campbell River Storm, 3-2 in overtime in front of some happy home fans at Howie Meeker Arena on Saturday, Jan. 11.
The Generals have ushered the New Year with renewed vigour and energy as they now have a new coach, Garrett Dunlop, and have also brought in two new players, brothers Alexandre and Mathias Alhaj, who are from Montpellier, France, acquired via a trade with the Comox Valley Glacier Kings.
The Generals split their first two games of the New Year, losing a close game to the Westshore Wolves 5-3 on Jan. 3, but the next night in their home barn, edged the Saanich Predators 4-3.
The win against the Predators has lift the spirits of the Generals and it showed when they took on the formidable Storm. They played well at both ends of the ice, matching the Storm's strong forechecking while frustrating the high-scoring Campbell River offence with a solid defence, led by goalie Hunter Farrer, who stopped 37 of the 39 shots he faced.
The Generals gave up a goal in the first period but bounced back in the second with Kane Law scoring in the first two minutes to even things at 1-1. Then close to the midway mark, Ryken Lay gave the Generals the lead, which they fought hard to hold but lost it late in the third when the Storm scored to force the game into overtime.
Just a minute into extra time play, Jordan Campbell picked up the puck in their zone and slipped a pass to Lay, who skated past the Storm defence and slapped it past the stunned Campbell River goalie Luc Gravel to give the Generals the win.
On Sunday, Jan. 12, the Gens then dropped a 4-1 decision to the visiting Port Alberni Bombers. Lay had the lone goal for the Gens, with Josh Nuttall sharp in goal, making 42 saves.
Oceanside visits the Lake Cowichan Kraken on Friday, Jan. 19 before returning home the next night to host the Westshore Wolves (7 p.m.).