The Oceanside Generals closed out their Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League regular season with back-to-back wins.
The Generals beat the Nanaimo Buccaneers 6-1 on the road (Feb. 22) and then edged the Port Alberni Bombers 2-1 at Oceanside Place (Feb. 24).
The Generals now gear up for the playoffs and aim to defend the Brent Patterson Memorial Trophy.
They take on the second-ranked team in the North Division, the Comox Valley Glacier Kings. They play Game 1 on Tuesday night at the Comox Valley Sports Centre.
The Generals then get their turn to play at home in Game 2 when they host the Glacier Kings on Thursday, Feb. 29, at Oceanside Place. Puck drops at 7:15 p.m.
During the regular season, both the Generals and Glacier Kings had some close games. The Glacier Kings, however, held the edge as they are 5-1 against the Generals. But despite that statistic, assistant coach Max Creighton said they like their playoff matchup against the Glacier Kings.
“They run a similar offensive and defensive systems as we do,” said Creighton, a former General. “As long as we play disciplined and avoid a run-and-gun style of play, we will give ourselves a chance to win every time we step on the ice. They have a high-flying offence so we are going to be relying on our strong goaltending tandem of Marc Samyn and Hunter Farrer as well as veteran d-men Brady Van Herk, Tyson Pauze and Aidan Cook.”
READ MORE: Alberta to host world junior hockey championship in 2027
The Generals, however, will be without their captain and leading scorer Jacob Thomas, who will miss two playoff games as he completes a three-game suspension. Thomas ranked fifth in the league with 36 goals, and 30 assists for a total of 66 points.
“That is a huge loss offensively and leadership-wise but I know it will be all hands on deck from the rest of our leadership group,” Creighton commented.
“Everyone is healthy and well-rested, and ready to roll.”
Here are the scheduled playoff games:
Tuesday, Feb. 27, 7:15 p.m.in Courtenay (Comox Valley Sports Centre)
Thursday, Feb. 29, 7:15 p.m. in Parksville (Oceanside Place);
Saturday, March 2, 7:30 p.m. in Courtenay (Comox Valley Sports Centre);
Remainder of games are to be announced.
