The Kerry Park Islanders continue to look for their first win of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League season, although last weekend’s slate included the team’s closest game so far.
The Isles were edged 3-2 by the Saanich Braves at George Pearkes Arena on Friday, by far the narrowest margin the team has lost by to this point in the campaign.
Reid Fitzpatrick opened the scoring for Kerry Park just 58 seconds into the game. Saanich rallied and held a 2-1 lead by the end of the first period. After a scoreless second period, the Braves went up 3-1 midway through the third before Taylor Webb scored his first goal of the season on the powerplay with 38 seconds left to play.
Shots were even at 40 for both teams in the game, with Nick Haisell making 37 stops for Kerry Park. The Isles went 1-for-5 on the powerplay and killed off all six Saanich powerplays.
Back at home on Saturday night, the Isles were defeated 6-1 by the North Division-leading Oceanside Generals.
The Generals were up 6-0, including four goals in the second period, before Cole Amado got the Isles on the board with 3:42 left in regulation.
Dylan Wilson got the start for Kerry Park and made 20 saves on 25 shots over the first two periods before Haisell came in and stopped eight of nine shots in the third. The Isles outshot the Generals 42-34. The Kerry Park penalty kill was perfect through seven Oceanside powerplays, but the Isles failed to score on four man advantages.
Now 0-7 to start the season, the Isles will visit the Westshore Wolves on Wednesday night and the Campbell River Storm on Friday before a rematch against the Braves at Kerry Park Arena on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.