Tag Archives: Kaiden Day

Glacier Kings-Gens Preview

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The Comox Valley Glacier Kings are back at it tonight as they travel to Parksville for a game against the Oceanside Generals. The Gens dropped into a tie for first place in the North Division after their 2-0 loss in Campbell River last night. That combined with Nanaimo’s victory over Lake Cowichan dropped Oceanside out of sole possession of the top spot. As for the Glacier Kings, they dropped out of sole possession of third and into a tie for third after the Storm win. The Generals are 25-12-1-0 while Comox is 18-15-4-1. The Gens come into tonight losing 3 of their last 4 games being outscored 18-10. The GKings have lost 2 of their last 3 but are still 6-2-2-0 in their last 10.

It looks like it’s going to be a good race for the number one and the number 3 seeds in the North going down the stretch. A win by the Generals tonight will clinch a playoff spot. The Glacier Kings on the other hand need just a point to regain sole possession of third place. In case you were wondering, the Yeti’s magic number to clinch a post-season berth is 6 (any combination of Comox wins and Port Alberni losses).

As for tonight, expect Oceanside to come out of the gates quickly. They have been good all year and aren’t happy with their results lately. Play by play broadcaster for the Generals and the Port Alberni Bulldogs of the BCHL Kyle Ireland talked about the game, “Gens will be looking for a fast start. They got shutout for the 4th time this season last night in Campbell River. Lane Maarhuis gave the Gens fits in an 8-2 loss to Victoria on January 11th so it will be interesting to see if he gets the start for the GKings.” Of course, Maarhuis started his first game for Comox on Thursday and was outstanding in a 2-0 loss in Victoria.

There aren’t a lot of players on either side to talk about regarding current streaks. That’s because both sides are coming off games where they were shutout. Neither club has an individual that is tearing up the league this season. Oceanside is led by Braeyen Newans (13G, 21A, 34Pts.) while Comox Valley’s leading scorer is Leon Mikhalchuk (17G, 18A, 35Pts.). Ireland did make a note of one key player that won’t be in the line up, “Gens will be without Kaiden Day for a second straight day due to a suspension, he’s a big part of the offence.” Day has tallied 26 points in 26 games this season. He had 10 assists in his last 10 games before the suspension.

A couple of players that will hopefully get back on the scoresheet tonight are Zaya Morro and Westin Churchill. They are 2nd and 3rd respectively on the active roster in scoring but have a combined 0 points in each of their last 5 games. Goaltending doesn’t seem like an issue as all 3 tenders have been good. Kyle says there’s a couple guys to watch tonight, “Braylon Becker has goals in 2 of his last 3 games for the Gens and will look to stay hot for the Gens. 5 points over his last 3 games and I look for power forward Leon Mikhalchuk to have another big game against the Gens, he has 8 points this season in games against the Gens… 2 very well coached teams, season series has been back and forth, very physical series. I expect the same tonight.” This is the 6th and final regular season for these two foes. Comox is 2-2-1-0 in the head-to-head battle so far. The last time they met was on January 4th when Oceanside won 4-3 in overtime.

Here is a look at the special teams:

PP
Comox Valley: 17.8% (7th)
Oceanside: 14% (10th)
PK
Comox Valley: 80.7% (7th)
Oceanside: 77.8% (9th)

Here are some other Glacier Kings stats:

Score First Goal: 13-5-2-0
Allow First Goal: 5-10-2-1

Lead After First Period: 13-0-0-0
Trail After First Period: 1-8-2-1
Tied After First Period: 4-7-2-0

Lead After Second Period: 13-1-1-0
Trail After Second Period: 3-12-2-1
Tied After Second Period: 2-2-1-0

It’s “Country Night” at the Howie Meeker Arena tonight. That’s my kind of night! My favorite would be a “Jimmy Buffett” night. I am appreciative of Dave Dueck playing a couple of Jimmy’s songs at the Yeti’s home games. Kyle Ireland will be broadcasting the Alberni Valley Bulldogs home game tonight so Buccaneers play by play broadcaster Larenzo Jensen will be the man in the booth for this evening’s contest. It will broadcast on both FloHockey and 88.5 The Beach. Puck drop is 7:00 PM. I will post Comox Valley’s line up as soon as I get it.

Darryl Skender

Glacier Kings Win In Overtime

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The Comox Valley Glacier Kings got a much needed win on Saturday night as they downed the Oceanside Generals 3-2 in overtime. It was a fun game to watch with a lot of chances and great goaltending. The loss snaps the Glacier Kings two game losing streak and as well, the Gens winning streak ends at two. Oceanside actually came back from a 2-0 deficit midway through the second period but was never able to take the lead.

The Glacier Kings got the scoring started when Leon Mikhalchuk carried the puck over the offensive blue line on an oddman rush. He centered it into the slot where Tegan Clayton had his shot blocked but Winston Churchill got to the loose puck first and fired it past Andreas Bylerius to make it 1-0.

Silas Dromarsky made a nice save on Rykan Lay who was sent in on a breakaway late in the opening period and then another exciting play took place as time was winding down. Jacob Bate came in on a breakaway, went forehand-backhand and beat Dromarsky as the buzzer sounded. It was originally called a good goal by the referee but then after all 4 officials huddled they waived it off which was a good call. You can see the green light come on just before Bate backhands it.

 

The period ended 1-0 for the home side. Shots were 7-2 for the home team.

In the second period, Comox extended their lead to 2-0. Shortly after after Dromarsky robbed Levi Green, Leon Mikhalchuk got the puck in the Oceanside corner and passed puck to the circle to Tegan Clayton and his shot dribbled past Bylerius.

The Generals didn’t fold the tent however. Their captain Levi Green blocked a shot and Oceanside came the other way on a 2 on 1 which was executed perfectly. Ryken Lay slid the puck over to Kaiden Day who made no mistake putting it into the open net.

The middle stanza concluded with a 2-1 lead for the Yeti. The shots were 9-8 in favor of the Glacier Kings.

Early in the third, Lincoln Bueckert got possession of the puck along the goal line in the GKings end and slid it across the ice to a wide open Jacob Bate to tie the game at two.

Comox Valley took a penalty halfway through the period and Maxim Lefebvre saved a goal by hitting the stick of Jacob Leamy who had a sure goal after a puck deflected straight to him. The Generals dominated the last part of the period but couldn’t beat Dromarsky who was outstanding. The contest needed overtime. Shots were 12-6 for the Gens.

The winning goal came early in the extra period. Haden Parker left the puck at the top of his own circle for Cameron Collins and he did the rest. The 18 year old Comox native went end to end splitting between two defenders inside the offensive blue line and beat Bylerius up high with a backhand shot to make the final 3-2.

The win improves Comox Valley’s record to 8-9-2-1 for 19 points as they remain tied for 4th place with Port Alberni who also won. Their next game is Wednesday in Saanich. The point that Oceanside gained in the loss moves their line to 11-8-1-0 which actually puts them into a tie for first place with Nanaimo in the North. The Generals are off until next Saturday when they host the Bucs.

Other Observations:

  • The win was the Glacier Kings first in extra time this season. In their previous 3 games that went past the 3rd period they were 0-0-2-1.
  • Cameron Collins OT winner extended his points streak to 4 games (2G, 2A).
  • Kaiden Day now has points in 5 of his last 6 games (2G, 5A).
  • The Yeti haven’t scored a PP goal in 4 straight games.
  • Silas Dromarsky was really good and most likely earned himself another start in the very near future.
  • GKings are now a perfect 7-0-0-0 when leading after the 1st and 7-1-0-0 when leading after 40 minutes.
  • There was a penalty in the 2nd period you don’t see often as Zaya Morro tried playing the puck with a broken stick (no blade) and went off for 2 minutes for “Ineligible Player.”
  • Comox is back to .500 at home (3-3-1-1)
  • Leon Mikhalchuk has points in 8 of his last 9 games (5G, 5A).
  • The 2 shots the Glacier Kings gave up in the 1st period is fewest they’ve allowed in a period all season.
  • Comox Valley did their annual Remembrance Day ceremony. Well done by the organization and thank you to all our Veterans and active duty members. You are the real heroes. God bless you!

Darryl Skender