I apologize for this being late but I got called into work for a very long day and was unable to get to create the post. It’s not going to be a very good one as the game was a stinker. The Westshore Wolves started strong and coasted to a 5-1 victory over the Comox Valley Glacier Kings on Saturday proving they are the top team in the VIJHL.

Just 2:36 into the game, Rowan Brodie-Rafuse took a wrist shot from the blue line that snuck between the arm and waist of goaltender Timothee Fengos. One that I’m sure that Fengos would like to have back. Then 2:14 later, Kansys Seney gave a nifty pass behind the Comox net to Jasper Fellbaum who one-timed a backhand pass into the slot to Parker Atkinson and he made no mistake putting the puck up high to make it 2-0 before the game was 5 minutes old. The Glacier Kings did play better as the period wound down and it finally paid off. Landon Morris lost an offensive zone faceoff but Kaden Ryan had his clearing attempt blocked by Cohen Kallin who took the puck to the faceoff circle and ripped a wrist shot past Ander Reyes with 1:16 left on the clock. That’s how the period ended, shots were 25-10 in favor of Westshore.

Best chance of the second period came for Zaya Morro when he had a shorthanded breakaway from center ice but was stoned by Reyes. Westshore scored the only goal of the middle frame. On the power play, the Wolves won the draw and the GKings would never touch the puck until it was in the back of their net after a goal by Kansys Seney. For a second period in a row, both goalies were outstanding. Shots were 15-13 for the the Wolves.

In the third, Jasper Fellbaum scored on a rebound to make it 4-1 and an empty net marker by Owen Hentschel rounded out the scoring on a frustrating night for Comox. It was redemption for Westshore after losing 7-1 in Peninsula one night earlier. Shots on goal favored the Wolves by a count of 14-8.

Westshore continues to be the top team in the VIJHL with a record of 8-2-1, three points ahead of the Panthers in the South Division. They host Kerry Park on Wednesday. As for the Glacier Kings, their record drops to 3-5-2 and remain tied for last place in the North Division with Oceanside. They will be off until Thursday when they travel south to Victoria.

Other Observations

• Despite giving up 4 goals, Timothee Fengos was superb.
• The 54 shots Comox gave up were the most they’ve allowed all season.
• After going scoreless in his first 8 games, Cohen Kallin has scored in 2 straight and has a 3 game point streak.
• It’s been frustrating for so many years seeing how easily the net comes off at the Sports Centre. Especially the one to the broadcasters left. It seemed like 10 times in the 1st period alone.
• Parker Atkinson’s goal and 2 assists has him sitting in 2nd place in the VIJHL scoring race (9G, 17A).
• The score sheet is very inaccurate for anyone looking at it. The goals and penalties are reversed with time left instead of time that has expired in the period, Cohen Kallin’s goal was at 18:54 not 10:10, Christophe Giguere’s penalty was in the 2nd period not the 1st etc.
• Kansys Seney’s PP goal took just 11 seconds to score after the faceoff.
• To start the month of October, the GKings have only scored a total of 2 goals in 2 games and have scored the 2nd fewest goals in the VIJHL.
• Maybe it’s just me but I wish the broadcasters (who are very good at play by play), would not cutout sound when the national anthem starts. I’ve heard the broadcasts cutout for both heavy metal music before and yesterday was just silence despite there being a live singer. The national anthem should be heard (even if it’s quiet), it’s a part of hockey and a part of our national pride. What I use to do is turn up both microphones on the headsets to full and hang them outside the open window and ensure everyone in the booth stayed quiet.

As I mentioned to start the post, I was in a negative mood after being called into work and then watching the hockey game so I apologize for the negativity. I’ll get head coach/GM Curtis Toneff’s thoughts on the game next week. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday everyone.

Darryl Skender