The Oceanside Generals opened their Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League season with a hard-fought 2-1 win on the road against the Saanich Predators at George Pearkes Arena on Friday night, (Sept. 6).
The next night the Generals played their first home game at Howie Meeker Arena but dropped a 4-1 decision to the Port Alberni Bombers who have won both their first two games of the season.
The Generals new head coach Marek Babic said the Generals had a promising start but fell apart down the stretch.
"We had a good start, had a couple of good shifts even a couple of breakaways, we didn't capitalize on and then we got into some penalty trouble and I think the boys got a little bit frustrated,' said Babic. "They tried to get back on the horse and we're just kind of playing catch up hockey after that."
Jaxtin Karst gave the Generals the lead at 1:38 of the first period but they were not able to score again as they had to kill some penalties giving the Bombers momentum when they scored late in the frame. The Bombers went on to score three unanswered goals with strong forechecking and quick transition game. Things got a lot more physical leading to the Generals taking some penalties.
Babic said they will be working on their discipline and learn to be more accountable with their game regardless of how the game is called on how the other team plays.
"Obviously the refs are going to go both ways, some nights it happens," said Babic. "We have to adjust to that."
Goalie Hunter Farrer had a busy night between the post as he was peppered with a lot of shots and did his best to keep the Generals in contention. He faced 53 shots and made 49 saves.
Against the Braves, the Generals got off to a solid start when Roman Lavery scored at the 5:50 mark of the first period. They were able to sustain their slim 1-0 lead and in the third made it 2-0, netted by newly signed Kadin Bilajbegovic. The Predators were able to cut the lead in the half but the Generals stayed focus and held on to twin their first game of the season.
Farrer was just a busy on that night as he faced 50 shots and only gave up one to earn the top star of the game.
The Generals are back at home on Saturday night (Sept. 14) at 7 p.m. at the Howie Meeker Arena to host the Nanaimo Buccaneers.
