The Quality Foods Oceanside Generals were winless last week.
They appear disappointing but they were not blowout losses.
They were all close games against three of the top teams in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League.
They can thank goalie Jacob Sweet for that. He has given the Generals a fighting chance in every game that he’s played in. For his efforts, he was named VIJHL player of the week.
Since joining Oceanside last season, Sweet has been named game star 20 times. Last week, the 18-year-old Prince George native turned away 85 of 88 shots in two games — a .966 save average — against the sniper -aden Buccaneers and Cougars. His GSAA stat is tops among VIJHL tenders at 10.42. He only has three wins and six losses so far this season.
Generals new head coach Lemmon is impressed with Sweet.
“Jake has been tremendous and a calming influence back there for us,” said Lemmon. “I can’t say enough good things about him.”
Last week, the Generals lost 2-0 to arch-rivals Nanaimo Buccaneers on Oct. 18 at the Nanaimo Ice Centre, then they hosted league leaders Campbell River Storm on Oct. 20 and suffered a 3-1 decision and on Sunday, Oct. 21, the Generals played hard against the Victoria Cougars at the Archie Browning Arena and gave up just a goal in the first period that ended up to be the winning marker.
Against the Storm, the lone goal for the Generals came from the stick of Brady Kay in the second period.
The Generals are in third place in the North Division with five wins and 10 losses.
This week, the Generals head back to Nanaimo for another clash with the Buccaneers on Thursday night, Oct. 25 at 7:15 p.m.
Then on Friday, the Generals host the Kerry Park Islanders at Oceanside Place 7 p.m..