The Kerry Park Islanders burst into their Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League exhibition schedule with a seven-goal performance on Aug. 27 against the Saanich Predators.
Despite both teams being fresh with new talent, the Preds had a bit of the momentum having won the VIJHL playoff title over the Isles to end last season. What Saanich didn't have, however, was an overtime goal.
In his first taste of VIJHL competition, Alberta's Bryce Kohler scored the game-winner 2:25 into OT to seal a 7-6 victory over the 2023 champions.
Scoring was dispersed among the team with 11 different players having either a goal or an assist. Five players, including Kohler had multi-point nights.
The Isles followed up their first win with a second victory against cross-town rivals, the Lake Cowichan Kraken, winning 4-2 in Lake Cowichan on Aug. 30.
The following night it took overtime again but the Predators pulled out a 4-3 victory over the Islanders at Kerry Park Arena in the team's penultimate pre-season contest.
On Sept. 1 the Isles bested the Kraken 3-2 at Kerry Park to wind up their exhibition season with a 3-1 record.
"Exhibition was good for us as it showed us how challenging the league is," said first-year head coach Jake Ebner. "Going 3-0-1 was nice but as a group we know that record could have looked much different and that’s OK. Those games are meant to get us ready for the season."
Ebner said his team played well in their three overtime games.
"The overtime games were fun to be a part of, I thought our boys played well and going 2-1 versus two very good teams in those games it was definitely exciting for the players."
The team carried their winning ways into the start of the regular season, ousting the Victoria Cougars 3-1 on Victoria's home ice on Sept. 5.
Cameron Lott and Jacob Morrison both had a goal and an assist in the win, with veteran Carson Brown picking up the other Kerry Park goal.
The Islanders followed it up with 4-1 victory on Saturday night at Kerry Park. With no scoring in the first period, Carson Brown potted a pair in the second to set the tone. Also setting the tone was returning player Bryce Burnett, who earned a Gordie How Hat-trick (a goal, an assist, and a fight). He and Rylan Davis both hit empty netters to end the game.
Ebner was pleased with the efforts in his team's first two games.
"They are two very tough opponents and we are fortunate to come away with two wins," he said. "This group has come together from the first skate together, so to see that and see the fun they are having at the rink is great.
"We have a young group and are really just getting started so looking forward to all of it, it’s a long season and process from start to finish so just to watch the team continue to grow each day is what I am looking forward to."
Despite the regular season now being underway, the deadline to finalize VIJHL rosters is Sept. 30 and Ebner said it gives him and his staff time to keep evaluating players.
