Home is where the wins are for the Kerry Park Islanders.
The Junior B hockey team is beginning to flourish under head coach Brian Passmore, going 7-3-0-1 in their last 11 games.
Many of those wins have come at home.
“We have played solid at home, picking up eight wins in a row on home ice,” Passmore said. “We have had contributions from all players up and down the lineup. We are also getting fantastic goaltending and feeling confident in our play.”
It’s a far cry from their 3-14-0-1 record away from home ice but Passmore said they’re working on turning that around, too.
“Our team understands the importance of each game, as we try to solidify a playoff spot,” Passmore noted. “At this time we are stressing on getting more focus, discipline and better play on the road games.”
Most recently, the Islanders beat the Nanaimo Buccaneers 4-1 on home ice Jan. 14.
Bryce Burnett scored his eighth of the season on the powerplay from Lukas Tokic and Keagan Abbott at 14:39 of the first period and that was it for scoring until early in the third.
Another special teams goal came just 2:48 into the final frame when Aleko Sdrakas found Carson Brown for his 26th of the year on the powerplay.
Up 2-0, at 10:24 of the third, Tokic scored his 10th unassisted to widen the gap.
After Nanaimo’s lone goal, Sdrakas wrapped up the scoring with his 19th of the season, converting on a play started by Burnett and Noah Hovde.
The previous night on the road, the Isles fell to the Saanich Predators 4-1.
Brown had the only Kerry Park goal.
“Overall the team is working hard, getting good results by trying to not beat ourselves,” Passmore said.
Up next for the Islanders is a cross-town rivalry game. Kerry Park visits the Lake Cowichan Kraken in Lake Cowichan on Sunday, Jan. 22.
The Kraken have three wins and seven losses in their last 10 games.
The puck drops at 5:30 p.m. for what should be an entertaining battle.