The Save-On-Foods Oceanside Generals blew a two-goal lead Saturday night and lost in double overtime to the Westshore Wolves, 6-5.
Discipline problems continued to haunt the Generals as they took two penalties early in the first period of Saturday’s tilt, resulting in two power play goals for the Wolves.
The Gens would make a comeback and with the game tied at three, PJ Heger took the game into his own hands and scored back-to-back goals, giving him a hat-trick on the night and the Gens a 5-3 lead. That lead would slip away and ultimately result in the double overtime loss.
“I’m starting to really find out how to prepare for games,” Heger said. “Getting mentally prepared and making sure I’m ready to go really goes a long way in making me game ready.”
Westshore went three for six on the power play Saturday night and in their game last Wednesday, the Generals gave up two power play goals on six attempts to the Saanich Braves. It’s an all too familiar theme for the Gens this season as they continue to be the most penalized team in the league and sport the worst penalty kill percentage to boot.
“We just need to be disciplined, plain and simple,” forward Jonah Pearson said. “Three of the six goals Westshore scored were on the power play. We need everyone to get on board with being disciplined and not taking bad penalties. A lot of times it’s just unnecessary plays and they really hurt us as a team.”
The double-overtime game was the second loss of the week for the Generals, who had a third-period collapse last Wednesday against the Saanich Braves and lost 6-1.
Gibson Doney was named the new captain of the Oceanside Generals on Saturday night, taking over for the departed Wyatt Meiers. Doney, who leads the league in penalty minutes this season, leads the Gens defense in scoring with nine points (six goals, three assists).
“It feels pretty good to be named captain,” Doney said. “It’s probably going to be my last season, so it will be good to go out this way. Being captain gives me more of a responsibility and I need to play with more discipline, stay out of the box and be a leader on the ice.”
Travis Flug laced up his skates for game action for the first time on Saturday night as well after making his return to the team this past week. Though he didn’t register a point in his first game back, he did make his impact felt on the ice, throwing hits at any member of the Wolves who was within reach.
“It’s great to have a guy like Travis back with us,” said Jonah Pearson. “He’s a leader on and off the ice and having that veteran leadership in the locker room is going to be a big help for us going forward.”
Next up for the Generals will be a game Friday night in Campbell River, against the first-place Campbell River Storm. Saturday the Gens are back at home to take on the Nanaimo Buccaneers, 7:30 p.m. at Oceanside Place.