The Save-On-Foods Oceanside Generals are going to try and salvage whatever they can out of their remaining three games, starting this Saturday night at home against the Saanich Braves.
Coming off back-to-back losses last weekend where the Generals gave up six goals in each game, the Gens will look to get back on track against the eighth and final team into the VIJHL playoffs, the Saanich Braves.
“It would be nice to see us go out there and play with some pride, try and prove that we’re not just going to roll over and let these teams beat us that easy,” Carlos Grouchy said. “We just have to keep moving forward with it all and try to finish the season off on a high note.”
The Generals goaltender Liam Giroux has been called up by the Alberni Valley Bulldogs of the BC Hockey League in place of their goaltender who suffered a broken collarbone recently. There’s a chance Giroux could return to the Generals this weekend but he could also stick with the Bulldogs, who are on a road trip to Prince George on Friday and then Merritt on Saturday.
Saturday night could see the Generals short handed as they’ve lost four players for the remainder of the season and forward Mikey Markland will be suspended for two more games thanks to a fight he had against Taylor Bowman of the Comox Valley Glacier Kings. The Gens lost forwards Carl Provencher, Nate Fitzpatrick and Devin Warfield, as well as defenseman Connor McNary, all of which have left the club to continue playing their season elsewhere.
“There’s nothing really we can do about them leaving. It’s their choice and at the end of the day we’re still going to have to go out there on the ice and play no matter if they’re here or not,” said defenseman Liam Peel. “It’s not an ideal situation but at this point it’s not really going to do much for us either way.”
With the end of the season in sight, some Generals are looking to improve and prepare for next season while others are trying to impress the teams they have affiliate player status with.
“We’ll see how things go with these remaining games,” said Ryan White, a 19 year old from Port Alberni.” “It’s been a tough year overall but it’s been an experience for sure. We’ve gone through a few coaches so it’s been interesting for sure, being able to learn different things from each coach. I’d like to come back here again next season too so I’ll be doing what I can to show that I can play here again next year.”
Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. as the Generals host the Saanich Braves on Saturday night at Oceanside Place. The Gens will once again face Saanich the following Friday night, this time in Saanich. The Generals will then close out the season at home against the Campbell River Storm on Feb. 15, with the puck drop at 7:30.