The Oceanside Generals will face the Campbell River Storm in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League North Division best-of-seven final.
After sweeping their playoff series 4-0 against the Port Alberni Bombers, the Generals have been waiting to see who their rivals will be next. It allowed them to continue to polish their game, recover from injuries, rest and make sure they are ready to play.
The Storm started their series well and had a 3-0 lead, but the Comox Valley Glaciers Kings rallied back to even things up and forced a do-or-die Game 7 on Friday, March 10. It was a barn-burner that saw the Storm eke out a 5-4 win in overtime to advance to the North Division final.
The Generals will host the Storm in Game One at Oceanside Place on Wednesday night, March 15 at 7:15 p.m.
Head coach Dan Lemmon said the Generals played against the Storm a number 0f times in the regular season and have had success against them. They won all their five games against the Storm in the regular season but Lemmon said they’re not taking anything for granted.
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“We’re making sure we’re ready to go and playing our best hockey,” said Lemmon. “We’re making sure we’re practicing with intensity and will be ready to play and match their intensity.”
Lemmon said although the Generals were not severely tested during their series against the Bombers, they’re drawing most of their experience and motivation from their playoff run last year which fell short when they lost the finals in Game 6 against the Peninsula Panthers.
The Generals have all their key players in good health said Lemmon.
In the South Division playoff final, the Victoria Cougars, who beat the Kerry Park Islanders 4-1, will take on Saanich Predators, who eliminated last year’s VIJHL champion Peninsula Panthers 4-2.
Here is the playoff schedule for the Generals:
• March 15 - Oceanside Place at 7:15 p.m.
• March 17 — Rod Brind’Amour Arena
• March 18 — Oceanside Place at 8:00 p.m.
• March 21 — Rod Brind’Amour Arena
• March 23 — Oceanside Place at 7: 15 p.m. (if necessary)
• March 24 — Rod Brind’Amour Arena (if necessary)
• March 25 — Oceanside Place at 7: 15 p.m. (if necessary)
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