A win over the Victoria Cougars continues to be Mark Osmond's elusive great white whale.
Since Osmond purchased the Kerry Park Islanders nearly two years ago, his team just hasn't been able to defeat the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League powerhouse.
The Isles lost 6-0 to the Cougars in their latest meeting, at Kerry Park Arena last Saturday.
"It wasn't a 6-0 game," Osmond said. "It felt more like a three-or four-nothing game. Our guys battled hard, but [the Cougars] are not a local team; they're a team of guys from all over B.C. They're a good team of veteran players. I think they could give most junior A teams a run for their money."
The Cougars scored twice in the first period last Saturday and four times in the second before the Isles quieted them in the third. Only one of the Cougars' goals came on the powerplay.
Leighton Williams started and allowed five goals on 24 shots in 33 minutes and 46 seconds before giving way to backup Ty Rennie, who surrendered one goal on 16 shots over 26 minutes and 14 seconds "The effort was there," Osmond said. "We just played a better team and got beat. As long as the boys don't give up, that's all we'll ask of them. There's not much more you can ask."
The Isles had been scheduled to play the Saanich Braves last Thursday, but the game was cancelled due to wide-ranging power outages and will be rescheduled.
The Isles played Westshore in Langford on Tuesday, and will play in Peninsula on Friday, host Campbell River on Saturday at 7 p.m., and visit the Oceanside Generals on Sunday.