Christian Stokes lifted home a backhand shot from the low slot with 6.2 seconds remaining Saturday as the Oceanside Generals midget rep team outdueled Nanaimo 7-6 in a see-saw hockey game at Oceanside Place Arena.
The goal was the fourth of the game for Stokes, whose short-handed score to open the third period made it 4-3 and kick-started a third period in which the teams exchanged three goals each before Stokes ended it.
Coming off a holiday tournament in Salmon Arm the previous weekend, the midgets improved to 5-2-1 overall and 4-0 in Vancouver Island Hockey League placement play.
Oceanside Generals midget Christian Stokes, left, prepares to backhand the winning goal past Nanaimo goalie Ross Manson during the Generals' 7-6 victory over the Clippers at Oceanside Place Arena Saturday. — Image credit: J.R. Rardon/PQB NEWS
Coaches Clinton and Fraser Sutherland believe the team will probably be slotted in the league’s second division in tiering meetings this week.
“We want to be a great team and do well in Tier 2,” Fraser Sutherland said. "What we don't want is to spend the season playing Tier 3 teams and think we're good, then go into the playoffs against stronger Tier 2 programs."
Duncan Cairns added two goals in the win and Cage Newans, one of two bantams called up as affiliate players for the game, contributed a goal and an assist.
— NEWS Staff