Jacob Malloch compiled eight points over two road games as he helped the Kerry Park Islanders edge past the Westshore Wolves and into third place in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League’s South Division.
The 20-year-old forward had two goals and an assist in the Isles’ 5-4 win over the Nanaimo Buccaneers last Thursday, then scored a hat trick and set up two other goals in a 9-4 victory over the Comox Valley Glacier Kings on Saturday.
“Jacob has really led by example as we’ve won the last three games,” Islanders owner Mark Osmond said. “He’s really improved his game. This is his last year [of junior hockey], and I think he realizes there’s something to play for.”
The Isles got off to an outstanding start against Nanaimo, taking a 4-0 first-period lead on goals by Josh Poland, Malloch, Brandon McClintick and Tanner Tiel. The Bucs got on the board with a powerplay goal in the second, then scored three straight in the third to even things up. Malloch potted his second of the game with just under two and a half minutes remaining in regulation.
“We should maybe not have let them back in like we did,” Osmond allowed, although he was pleased with the end result.
Poland and Jordan Martin finished the game with two points apiece. Rett Rook made 30 saves for his 12th win of the season. Chemainus product John Hawthorne came in after the Isles chased Buccaneers starting goalie Cedric LeSieur, and was saddled with the loss.
Malloch opened the scoring 15 minutes into Saturday’s game, and Caleb Franklin scored again just 38 seconds later, and the Isles led 2-1 after the first period. Connor Bissett made it 3-1 17 seconds into the middle frame, but the Glacier Kings answered back with a pair to tie the score. The Isles opened the floodgates in the third, scoring six times, including three straight powerplay markers, before the Glacier Kings replied with the last goal of the night.
Tiel, Martin and Poland had the first three Kerry Park goals of the third period. Jacob Malloch had two of the powerplay goals, sandwiched around one by his brother Jarret. Martin, Poland, Garnett Roberts and Brandon Bagnall each had two assists, and Rook made 37 stops for the win.
Kerry Park pulled ahead of the Westshore Wolves for third place in the South Division, 36 points to 35. Both teams have seven games remaining. The Isles visit the second-place Saanich Braves this Friday, then return home to play the league-leading Campbell River Storm on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. They also host the Braves next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. That game will be Toonie Tuesday, with $2 admission for all K-12 students.