VIJHL Playoffs – February 28, 2019.
Victoria Cougars 3 Oceanside Generals 1
The Victoria Cougars opened their playoff account with a 3-1 home ice victory over the 7th place Oceanside Generals.
Booker Chacalias was the man of the match with a pair of goals for the Cougs. Grady Birk scored the winner.
The Generals lone goal scorer was Greyson Weme.
James Brendeland was superb between the pipes for the Gens.
Saanich Braves 3 Kerry Park 1
Will the real Saanich Braves please stand up! It’s been awhile but this is the Braves team that impressed in the playoffs last season.
They were full value for their 3-1 victory and 2-0 series lead.
Reid Lindsay scored the winner late in the first. Other Saanich goals came from Dale McCabe and Gavin Grewal playing his 171st consecutive game.
Isaac Leik scored for the Islanders in the 2nd.
Nanaimo 4 Westshore 3 Double OT
The most thrilling first round series has been at the Pirate Ship and once again the Nanaimo Buccaneers and Westshore Wolves didn’t disappoint last night.
This time around, Westshore forced the overtime with just 8 seconds left as Ethan Brandwood impressed everyone watching at the Pirate Ship.
Darian Harris was the hero when he converted a two on one seventeen minutes into double overtime. Other Buc goals came from Trey Watson, Dawson Heathcote and Nathan Hauser.
In addition to Brandwood’s goal, Westshore saw goals from Blake Bentham and Dylan Parsons.
Here’s some stats after a couple of nights of playoff hockey.
Gavin Grewal and Kyle Mace lead all scorers with 4 points.
The Saanich Braves powerplay has been deadly at 57.1%
While the Braves, Buccaneers and Cougars are all perfect on the PK.
The playoffs resume tonight with Saanich hoping to go up 3-0 in their series with Kerry Park. Puck drop is 6:30 at the Pearkes. In the other matchup, the Storm will look to even their series with the Panthers at Rod Brind’Amour Arena (7:30pm).