The Oceanside Generals are in good shape right now as they have a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League playoffs against the Port Alberni Bombers.
The Generals have beaten the Bombers twice, 8-2 in Game One that was held at Oceanside on Wednesday night (March 1), and the next night followed it up with a 4-2 decision at the Alberni Valley Multiplex.
They have now stretched their winning streak to 25 consecutive games.
The unrelenting offence of the Generals has been the key to their success, keeping most of the play in their rivals’ zone. The Bombers defence had to work overtime and try their best to slow down the Generals, who out-shot them 58-18 in the first game and 58-17 in Game 2.
In the first game, the Generals despite their dominant offence, were able to secure a lone goal netted by Aidan Mailhot. They suffered a lapse in defence that allowed the Bombers’ Chase Pacheco to score a breakaway goal and tie thing up 1-1.
But in the second, the Generals quickly imposed their complete control on the game with the league’s top scorer Carter Johnson starting off with a quick goal at 1:19. It led a barrage of goals with Tyler Gyori finding the back of the net twice, with one each scored by Miles Carson, Brendan Carlson and Braeden Leary to give themselves comfortable 7-1 edge.
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In the third, the Generals added just one goal but also had another defensive break down that led to a Bomber goal by Grayson Erickson at 14:08. The final score was 8-2.
Goalie Matthew Hutchinson turned away 16 shots to earn the win between the pipes.
The next night, the Generals travelled to Port Alberni for Game 2. The Generals again dominated on both ends to grab a 2-0 lead in the first period with Miles Carson scoring at 13:35 and Dante Paziuk earning a power play marker almost two minutes later.
Brendan Carlson made it 3-0 just 23 seconds into the second frame but the Bombers fought back and were able to cut the gap to 3-1 with Carson Steel scoring at 7:06.
In the final period, Paziuk again scored on the power play to make it 4-1. The Bombers were able to score one more, Pacheco netting a shorthanded marker at 12:29 of the third period for the final 4-2 score.
Game 3 of the best-of-seven playoff series will be played at Oceanside Place (Saturday, March 4) at 7 p.m.
Here’s the Generals’ remaining playoff schedule against the Bombers:
• Mon, Mar 6 – Oceanside – Port Alberni Alberni Valley Multiplex 7:00 p.m.
• Wed, Mar 8 – Port Alberni – Oceanside Oceanside Place 7:15 p.m. (if necessary)
• Fri, Mar 10 – Oceanside – Port Alberni Alberni Valley Multiplex 7:00 p.m. (if necessary)
• Sat, Mar 11 – Port Alberni – Oceanside Oceanside Place 7:00 p.m. (if necessary)
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