Asides

2021 – 2022 VIJHL Playoff Format

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At a Governor’s meeting in September, the playoff format for this season was agreed upon.

For the 2021/2022 season it has been determined that playoffs will be as follows:

a)    The top three teams of each division (based on league point standing) will participate in the playoffs.

b)    The remaining 2 South teams and 3 North teams will be ranked together based on league point standings.

c)    The top 2 teams in this ranking will participate in the playoffs (3 teams eliminated)

i.   If 2 North teams are selected, the most southerly geographical North division team will participate in the South division’s first 2 rounds of playoffs and will be seeded in the South rankings based on League points.

ii.        If 2 South teams are selected, the most northerly geographical South division team will participate in the North division’s first 2 rounds of playoffs and will be seeded in the North rankings based on League

d)    All series will be seven games and the highest placed team will have home ice advantage.

e)    The first two rounds of the playoffs will be intra-divisional

f)     First round: In each division, the first place team will play the fourth place team and the second and third will play off.

g)    Second round: the winners of round 1 face each other within their division.

h)    Third round: the winner of the North Division vs the Winner of the South Division.

PREDATORS MAKE A COACHING CHANGE

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On behalf of the Saanich Predators ownership team, Ed Geric and Norm Kelly.

Effective immediately, bench boss Brent Polischuk has been relieved from his duties as Head Coach and General Manager of the Saanich Predators. Victoria native Cody Carlson will take over immediately as the Pred’s new Head Coach and GM.

Cody joins the team leadership after an extensive hockey career that started with minor hockey at JDF and turned into a successful professional career with more than 600 games played. Drafted 21st in the first round of the 2006 WHL Draft, Cody spent five seasons with the Western Hockey League before starting his nine-year pro career that included two years in the ECHL, and seven years in European leagues. Cody played his last three seasons with the ASC Corona Brasov in Romania before returning to Victoria and taking on the Assistant Coach and Assistant GM roles for the Kerry Park Islanders for the 2021 / 2022 season. He has also worked as a skill development coach for various programs including the Victoria Grizzlies development camps.

The Preds are grateful to Brent Polischuk for his time with the team and wish a warm welcome to Coach Cody Carlson who will be on the bench for the team’s next game Friday October 15 at Pearkes Arena, where they’ll be facing off against the Westshore Wolves. The Saanich Predators have played 14 games so far in the 2021/2022 season with five wins and eight losses.

Originally posted on https://saanichpreds.com/

Bombers Fall to Glacier Kings 5-2

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The Port Alberni Bombers were unable to continue their winning ways. As they fell to the Comox Valley Glacier 5-2 on Saturday night. The same team the Bombers defeated on Wednesday night to get their first win in franchise history.

The first period saw the Bombers and Glacier Kings exchange goals. Both of which were on the powerplay. Glacier Kings forward Logan Furlong would score first, but Bombers forward Nathan MacDonald would respond on the powerplay as well. Leaving it tied 1-1 heading into intermission.

The second period saw another exchange of goals between the two teams. Glacier Kings would be the first to take the lead 2-1 from Ryan Telford. But the Bombers would respond once again on the powerplay from Nathan MacDonald once again for his second goal of the game. The period would with another stalemate at 2-2 going into the third period.

In the third period, the Glacier Kings would take over and score three unanswered goals. The first was from Jeremy Dewar on the powerplay and the final two were from Telford to secure the hat-trick making it a 5-2 final score.

The Bombers record is now 1-5-1 and are set to play the Peninsula Panthers Wednesday, October 6th at 7:00 PM at the Alberni Valley Multiplex.

Tickets will cost $10 per adult and $5 for those under the age of 18. However, if you’re under 18 and are accompanied by an adult, you’ll be able to watch the game for free. Special thanks to the San Group.

And if you’re unable to make it, you can catch the game live on HockeyTV as well as Mixlr. Links for the broadcast will be down below.

COVID-19 regulations and restrictions will be in place at the arena.

Preds Play First Home Game in New Arena

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It’s time! The Saanich Predators are hosting our first official home game in the newly-renovated GOLD rink at Pearkes Arena this Friday, October 1st! We’re looking forward to welcoming the Comox Valley Glacier Kings for our second matchup of the season. Mayor Fred Haynes will be on hand to welcome spectators and both teams to our home rink and to help us officially kick off the Saanich Preds 2021-2022 season.

With the return to the larger gold rink, spectator space is increased to 120 people. The rink has been completely updated with a new concrete slab for the ice surface, new arena boards and glass. The freshly painted space has also had a new score clock and safety netting installed.

The Predators recognize and honour Residential School Survivors and the importance of National Truth and Reconciliation day on September 30th, 2021. The team is collecting donations in support of the Indian Residential School Survivor Society at the October 1st home game and will be using orange stick tape as symbol of support and remembrance at their September 29th and October 1st games.

The puck drops at 6:30 PM. Tickets available at the door starting at 5:45 or watch online on Hockey TV. Concession will be open. Proof of vaccination and masks required.

 

Originally Posted on sannichpreds.com

Bombers Fall to the Generals in OT

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The Port Alberni Bombers were a goal away from grabbing their first win of the season but was snatched away by the Oceanside Generals by a final score of 4-3 in overtime.

It was a tense game throughout. Especially in the first, where it was deadlocked until the Generals had scored with just 20 seconds left to take a 1-0 lead going into the intermission.

Shots in the opening frame were 12-4 in favour of the Generals.

In the second period, the Bombers would respond in a big way. Scoring not one, but three goals to take a 3-1 lead. The first was from Grayson Erickson, followed by Sam Davidson and Blake Power. Both of which were on the same 5-minute major powerplay that saw Generals player Jon Griffiths ejected for a boarding major.

Shots were 11-8 in favour of the Bombers and 20-15 overall for the Generals.

In the third, the Generals would claw their way back as they would end up tying the game and forced overtime. In the extra frame, the Generals only needed 50 seconds to close it out as it would be Greyson Weme’s 10th goal of the season.

The final shot totals were 33-21 for the Generals. For the man advantage, the Bombers would finish 2/6 on the powerplay and the Generals would finish 1/5.

The next Bombers game will take place on home ice on September 28th at 7:00 PM as the Bombers will host the Victoria Cougars.

Tickets will be $10 for adults and $5 for those under the age of 18. However, if you’re under 18 and accompanied by an adult, you’ll be able to see the game for free. All thanks to the San Group.

COVID-19 regulations will be in place at the arena.

Originally posted on: https://www.portalbernibombers.ca/

COUGARS UNDEFEATED SO FAR

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The Cougars managed to hold off the Wolves and remain the only unbeaten team in the league. Unfortunately, they didn’t do it in a pretty fashion.

Last Thursday the Cougars had a slow start against the Predators, but eventually found their rhythm on route to a thumping. Today, the Cougars had a slow start, slow first period, slow second period, and a slightly less slow third. It was not a good game from a Coaching point of view, or a fans point of view either. Lucky for the Cougars though, Westshore was in the same boat. Both teams did not have a great game. But the Cougars net-minder, Jonah Chambers and his counterpart Benjamin Edwards both played well. If it wasn’t for them this game could have been a complete mess. Endless broken plays, missed passes, missed checks, and miscommunication led to what Tom Arlidge said looked like “Shinny” and not hockey. And yes, thats with two N’s and not that other letter.

Ty Brant was a standout for the Cougars. He landed 10 hits and being the lone skater for Victoria that Head Coach Brody Coulter said “Played a full 60 minutes”. He took home player of the game for the Cougars. Mark Castilla notched is first goal in the VI and the claimed the game winning goal. Pang, Brant and Esposito grabbed the other Cougars goals. Jack Westhaver had the lone Wolves goal and also took home player of the game for his team.

Victoria travels to the Valley to take on the Port Alberni Bombers for the first time this year on Tuesday. Then they are back home Thursday for Truth and Reconciliation Day. Elder Elmer George from the Songhees First Nation is a guest speaker and will join me and Tom in the booth in the 1st intermission.

Peninsula Panthers Split Weekend Games

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It seemed as though the Peninsula Panthers had been spinning their tires in mud over the first three VIJHL Regular Season games and along with the spinning tires and mud, came three straight tough losses.  The Club had played well enough to have a dramatically different record going into Friday’s game against the Westshore Wolves but had made some big blunders at key moments which had a significant cost.

“We have played well enough to have won three instead of lose three,” quipped Panthers General Manager Pete Zubersky.  “But some really key guys have made some untimely blunders and going into Friday night we had a big donut in the win column.  The Club played well on Friday against the Wolves and then again up in Campbell River on Saturday night against the Storm and I really think we will see better results moving forward from here.”

On Friday night, the Panthers outshot the visitors by a wide margin of 32-22 but the final result on the scoreboard was the slightest of margins at 5-4.   But a win is a win and the result was a significant one for the ‘Cats.’

Logan Speirs led the offensive with two goals and an assist while linemate Riley Braun chipped in with a goal and two helpers.  Grant Gilbertson and the suddenly hot Tanner Banks chipped in with single markers of their own.  And 20-year-old veteran Connor Svienson collected his first win of the season to record the win.

On Saturday afternoon, the Team jumped on the Iron Lung and pulled out just before 2:30 pm heading for a date with the red-hot and North Division-leading Campbell River Storm.  And for the 485 fans in attendance, they did not have to utilize most of their respective seats as they sat on the edge for the entire 60 minutes of regulation time, 5 minutes of overtime and a lenghty shootout before the Storm eventually won the contest 4-3.

“I was sitting on the bus waiting for the players to shower up and at least 15 fans from Campbell River popped their heads through the door to say that they had just witnessed one of the best games they had seen for a couple of years,” said Zubersky.  “We would have loved to have them leaving the rink with some disappointment but those were two good Clubs who really put on a show.”

The Panthers outshot the Storm over the 65 minutes of play by a count of 49-42 and it took six shooters from each squad before a winner could be determined in the ensuing shootout.  Connor Svienson was tagged for the loss in the affair, although the game was clearly his best of the young season.  Speirs and Payton Braun had a goal and an assist while Ryan Grambart excelled all night long and added a huge goal with only 20 seconds remaining in the game and with Svienson on the bench for an extra attacker to knot the score at 3-3.  Riley Braun was in on all three goals while defenceman Hunter Jenson added two assists of his own.

Just before getting on the bus outside the back door of Strathcona Gardens in Campbell River, Panthers Head Coach Brad Tippett had a few comments of his own on both Friday and Saturday’s games:

“We are going in the right direction. There were more positives than negatives on Friday night against the Wolves. The scoring came from 3 lines and we had much more emotion.  We finally were the first on the scoreboard but still had a couple of deadly miscues that has plagued us in every game so far. We ran a short bench on Wednesday due to injuries and a bug that hit us hard and so it was beneficial to have a few more bodies on the bench on Friday.  That was an important win for the squad but we didn’t have any time to pat ourselves on the back.  The Storm proved to be another big test as we expected.  Looking at their roster it looks like they are one of the top Clubs in the North Division.

Tippett then focused his comments on the heart-stopping game that had just unfolded:

“Adversity reveals more character than it creates. Last Wednesday, we saw glimpses of the team we expected. Even with 13 skaters, we deserved points in that game but came up empty. We had a lot of individual mistakes that ended up in our net and we know we have to address this issue. We did find some offence and although we lost 7-6, we found some positives. We finally had a good start last night against the same Wolves Club and once again tonight in this one. Our leadership group stepped up. The work ethic, some physicality, some structure and some willingness to put our body on the line was evident. We got scoring from 3 of the 4 lines. The 5-4 win last night was huge for our group’s confidence. We played more as a team tonight and trusted that each individual was going to successfully do his job.  Going into Campbell River is never an easy task. In spite of coming in with a depleted lineup and playing our third game in four nights, we were full marks for at least one point. When a visiting team outshoots the Storm in their building and the CR first star is their goalie – your team is doing a lot of things well.  I loved how we embraced the challenges we faced this weekend, we are clearly moving in the right direction.”

The Panthers will take Sunday off before a week of practice to prepare for another road game on Thursday night up in Nanaimo against the Buccaneers.  The squad will then return home on Friday at 7:30 pm when they welcome the visiting Kerry Park Islanders into the friendly confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre.  And if this past weekend is any indication, fans on the Peninsula should be prepared for a barn-burner.

Originally posted on Peninsula Panthers Website: http://ppanthers.bc.ca/news.php?news_id=1941423

Glacier Kings Split Weekend Games

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The Comox Valley Glacier Kings finished the weekend splitting a pair of games, both were exciting and were decided by just a goal. On Friday, they beat the Lake Cowichan Kraken 4-3 in a shootout. Then on Saturday they dropped a 3-2 decision to the Saanich Predators in Courtenay

The Predators jumped out to an early 1-0 lead with a goal from Avery Hargitt. That would stand until late in the opening frame when Comox Valley went to the power play. Caileb Berge won the faceoff back to Jeremy Dewar at the right point, skated to the hashmarks, centered it for Berge who had circled around for a backdoor shot. Goaltender Andrew Brabender did a terrific job to get over to make the save but Matthew Teasdale backhanded the rebound into the open net. Saanich would make it 2-1 early in the second when David Edgar potted his first of the season. Later on the middle stanza, Liam Schreiber passed the puck from inside his own blue line to Matt Teasdale near center. Matt’s one-time pass went off a skate right to Jeremy Dewar. He gave it right back to Teasdale who skated over the opposing blue line and fed the streaking Schreiber in the slot. Liam fought off his check and one-timed it glove-side on Brabender. The game would remain tied until midway through the third period when Avery Hargitt would score his second of the game which would also turn out to be the game winner.

There was some controversy that came with 32 seconds left in the third period with Comox on a power play. Matt Teasdale’s stick was being held and he couldn’t free it so in his frustration he took a 10-minute misconduct. He left the ice surface and went to the dressing room because he wasn’t eligible to come back with so little time remaining. As you know, a 10-minute misconduct does not put your team in a short-handed situation. However, the Glacier Kings were only allowed to put 5 players on the ice despite their net being empty. The mix-up caused it to be a 5 on 4 instead of a 6 on 4 like it should have been. The Glacier Kings did not score and it ended up a 3-2 final. I was so confused in the press box and was saying Matt must have gotten a 2-minute minor as well as the misconduct because they only had 5 players on the ice but it didn’t make sense because it was still an offensive zone face off and there was no time put up on the penalty clock.

It was a very even game with each team having terrific scoring chances but both Brabender and Ryder Lally came up big in the nets. The shots on goal would end up being 31-24 for Saanich because of a decisive 13-4 total in the third period.

The loss drops Comox Valley’s record to 1-2 while the Predators improve to 4-1. The Glacier Kings next game is on Friday when they travel to Oceanside. Saanich is in Victoria on Thursday.

Daryyl Skender

Originally posted on https://abovethepond.wordpress.com/2021/09/19/exciting-game-at-sports-centre-ends-in-a-3-2-loss/