Dylan Haugen scored 23 seconds into overtime and Oceanside’s Save On Foods Generals pulled one out of the fire on home ice Saturday night when they beat the Kerry Park Islanders 7-6 in Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) action.
The Generals were coming off a loss to Comox on Friday and gave up the game’s first goal Saturday but led 2-1 after 20 minutes. The teams were tied 4-4 after 40 minutes. KP scored 2:05 into the third and Oceanside countered at 2:38 to make it 5-5. The ‘Isles upped it to 6-5 at 17:32, and captain clutch Kyle Yamasaki forced extras when he fed the net with 42 seconds left to make it 6-6.
Haugen’s winner in OT was his second of the night and earned him the game’s first star. Also scoring for Oceanside were Nick Bell, Jared Chinn, Travis Briggs and Marino Somerville.
Shots on goal were almost even at 31-30 with the edge to Oceanside. Michael Gudmandson was in net for the win. The Generals were 3-for-7 on the power play; the ‘Isles 0-for-4.
In Comox on Friday for a big North Division matchup against the Glacier Kings, Oceanside gave up three unanswered first period goals and couldn’t dig out themselves out in a 5-3 loss. It was the final regular season meeting between the two teams, with the Glacier Kings taking the series 5-3.
Comox outshot Oceanside 16-8 in the first and 39-30 on the night. Goody got the start in that game but was replaced by backup Joshua Alalouf in the second.
Nathan Deyell, Shane Dial and Travis Briggs tallied for Oceanside in that game. Comox was 1-for-2 with the man advantage, Oceanside 0-for-3.
The split puts the Generals at 18-17-2 on the season and two points back of third place Saanich, for fourth in the seven-team league with five regular season games remaining.
“Obviously disappointing to the start of our game in Comox on Friday but the boys responded and played well (but) it’s pretty tough to come back,” said Gens’ head coach and GM Dave Johnston, adding they team he thought responded with a good solid effort on Saturday at home.
“We are struggling with slow starts — we were definitely a little tentative again on Saturday,” confirmed the veteran bench boss, “and that’s something we’re working on.”
GAME ON
The Generals are on the road in Thursday and Saturday against the Cougars and Islanders, then return home to ‘the Place for a rare Sunday game when they host the Saanich Braves at 2:30 p.m.