Kalan Anglos
Special to the Record
When two undefeated teams match up early in the season it is inevitable that one will skate away with a blemish in the loss column. Unfortunately for the Comox Valley Glacier Kings, they were victim to just that in game three of their Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League regular season.
Having won their first two games of the young season in impressive fashion, the Yetis were handed their first loss Friday, convincingly, by the Kerry Park Islanders. It was a game that saw a total of 12 goals, 13 penalties, and two game misconducts, as the Islanders left the Comox Valley Sports Centre with a 9-3 victory.
Brandon Nicholson (second star of the game) got it all started for Kerry Park, scoring his first of two goals in the period at 5:57. Dayne Ellison (two goals, one assist, first star), scored his first of the game before Garrett Brandsma answered back with a powerplay goal for the Kings.
In the second, Myles Powell gave Comox Valley some life with his second goal of the year. However, Kerry Park proved to be too much on this night, as they were rewarded by their relentless attack with five un-answered goals before the end of the period. Jackson Garrett chipped in with a goal in the third, but it was too little too late for the Glacier Kings. Shots in the game were 39-21 in favour of Kerry Park.
"Tough loss," said Kings' GM/owner Dave Webb. "We'll just have to come tomorrow again ready to play." Which Saturday in Parksville was exactly what the Kings did. Playing their second game in as many nights, the Yetis looked much more poised and polished in hostile territory against the Oceanside Generals.
The top line of Jackson Garrett (third star), Myles Powell, and Garrett Brandsma (first star) accounted for three of the five goals Comox Valley scored, including the opener at 4:41 of the first period by the latter. Oceanside answered back in the second, with Riel Gibson and Jaden Schmiesser setting up both the goals for Joel Issigonis (second star) and Colby Lim, respectively.
But unassisted goals by Brandsma and Garrett in the third sealed the victory. Ben Tarnowski made 40 saves for his third win in as many starts for the Glacier Kings, who improved to 3-1 and remain atop the North Division standings.
Next up for the Icemen is the first regular season meeting with their North Division rival Campbell River Storm. That game will be played on Friday, Sept. 23 at the Rod Brind'Amour Arena in Campbell River. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m.