The Comox Valley Glacier Kings would have been quite happy if Feb. 2 played out for them the same way it did for Phil Connors in the movie Groundhog Day.
Alas, it would not be deja vu all over again for the Icemen as they split a pair of Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League games with the Oceanside Generals last week.
After blanking Oceanside 6-0 on Feb. 1, the Yetis were in turn shut out Feb. 2 as the Generals celebrated the real Groundhog Day with a 5-0 win. The results left the third-place Generals four points back of the second-place Glacier Kings in the North Division; both teams have four regular season games remaining.
Friday night in Courtenay, Bryce DiRocco kicked out 27 shots to earn first-star honours as the Glacier Kings led 2-0 after one period and 3-0 after two. Kiefer Giroux made 40 saves in taking the loss.
In the first period, Jordan Crisp and Nicholas Tupper (on the power play) gave the Icemen all the goals they would need.
Brandon Halls added a power-player marker in the second. Sheldon Brett netted two in the third to go along with one by Rylan Ball.
The skate was definitely on the other foot for Saturday night's rematch in Parksville as Giroux was flawless between the pipes and earned first star for backstopping the Generals to a 5-0 victory.
DiRocco took the loss. Oceanside out-shot Comox Valley 31-28 and held period leads of 2-0 and 4-0. Taylor Gray and Michael Fretz both had one goal and two assists to pace the Parksville attack.
The Glacier Kings have two games this weekend. They visit the Saanich Braves Friday, Feb. 8 then host the Campbell River Storm (7:30 p.m. Comox Valley Sports Centre Arena #1) on Saturday, Feb. 9.
The Yetis wrap up the regular season the following weekend. On. Feb. 15 they take on the Storm in Campbell River, then on Feb. 16 they host the Nanaimo Buccaneers.
The VIJHL's inaugural wild card game will be held Feb. 17, with the lowest seed from each division meeting to see who will be the fourth seed in the North Division playoffs.
Campbell River will meet the Kerry Park Islanders in an afternoon game at Bear Mountain Arena. The game will be followed by the league's annual awards presentation.