There were two good reasons why the Comox Valley Glacier Kings defeated the Saanich Braves 4-3 on Friday – Jackson Garrett and Garrett Brandsma.
Both players tallied twice to pace the Yetis to the Jan. 27 win at George Pearkes Arena – Garrett's pair leaving the visitors down 3-2 after two periods and Brandsma's third-period markers giving the Icemen the final edge.
The win allowed the Glacier Kings to remain five points up on the Oceanside Generals in the race for first place in the North Division of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League standings.
The Generals have a game in hand, and the two teams meet for the final time in the regular season this Friday at the Comox Valley Sports Centre. That four-pointer gets underway at 7:30 p.m.
The past Friday in Saanich, the Braves led 2-1 after the first period as Garrett's unassisted shorthanded tally midway through the frame was sandwiched by Saanich goals from James Kellington and Sheldon Trees.
In the second, Garrett's 26th of the season was offset by Kellington's second of the game. That set the stage for Brandsma's third-period heroics, as he netted the only goals in the final frame to give the Icemen the 4-3 win.
The Glacier Kings outshot the Braves 37-34 with Cameron Large picking up the win and Tanner McGaw tagged with the loss. The Icemen went 0-for-3 on the power play while Saanich was 0-for-5.
The Glacier Kings now have six regular season games, three at home and three on the road. They visit Kerry Park on Feb. 2, Campbell River on Feb. 10 and Peninsula on Feb. 17. They host Oceanside on Feb. 3, Campbell River on Feb. 11 and Saanich on Feb. 18.
The Victoria Cougars have already clinched the regular season championship and have earned a bye in the first round of the playoffs. The three best-of-seven first-round series feature 2nd. vs. 7th, 3rd vs. 6th and 4th vs. 5th.
In the second round, teams are re-seeded based on their regular season record with 1st vs. 4th and 2nd vs. 3rd. The winners of round two meet in the VIJHL final. Playoff dates have yet to be announced.
ICE CHIPS Friday's game can be heard at www.glacierkings.ca ... for the latest Island Jr. B buzz, visit vijhl.com ...