After suffering their first loss of the season last Friday, the intermediate B Cowichan Thunder responded by demolishing the Campbell River Ravens on Sunday.
The Thunder fought back from four-and three-goal deficits on Friday, but were edged 10-9 by their closest rivals in the Vancouver Island league, the Saanich Tigers. Sunday's game was never in doubt as Cowichan clobbered Campbell River 19-1. "Friday's game saw our team start very flat again," said coach Lorne Winship, whose team trailed 5-1 early in the first and was down 6-4 at the end of the period. Saanich led 10-7 in the third before the Thunder potted two late goals, but even with goalie Kain Stewart pulled down the stretch, the equalizer proved evasive.
Brandon Corby led the Thunder with three goals, while Colin Winship had two goals and an assist, and Mitch Page scored twice. Josh Porter and Corwin Trent had singles. Tyson Black contributed four assists and Jordan Lysne added one.
The Thunder were better prepared on Sunday and roared out to an 8-1 first-period lead, never looking back. Every player who dressed for Cowichan got their name on the score sheet, including goalie Dallas McLaughlin, who had one assist.
Filling out the score sheet were Adam Golia (five goals, four assists), Liam Clinging (three goals, one assist), Corby (three goals, one assist), Black (two goals, three assists), Colin Winship (two goals, two assists), Page (two goals, two assists), Aidan Miller (one goal), Kaine Dreaver (one goal), Corwin Trent (six assists), Jimmy Johnnie (two assists), Steven Robertson (two assists), Tyler Weidenfeld (one assist), Sean O'Neill (one assist), and Josh Porter (one assist).
The intermediate Thunder head to Campbell River this Sunday for a rematch with the Ravens, then host Juan de Fuca at The Stick next Friday at 7:45 p.m. In the meantime, an 18-5 win by the junior B Thunder last Wednesday was the last straw for the Nanaimo Timbermen, who announced a few days later that, due to player numbers and other issues, they were folding. Cowichan dominated from the outset, leading 10-1 after the first period. Scoring for the Cowichan juniors were Ryan Taylor (five goals, four assists), Graham Winship (three goals, four assists), Golia (three goals, four assists), Luke Frost (two goals, four assists), Jamie Jensen (two goals, three assists), Kelvin Philp (two goals, one assist), Black (one goal, three assists), and Joey Robb (one goal, two assists). Robertson and Paul Yaremus had single assists. Goalie Logan Seymour made his first start of the season and earned the game ball.
The junior B Thunder will host Westshore this Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at the Island Savings Centre.