Both of the Cowichan Valley’s junior B hockey teams started preseason play in the last week, with mixed results so far.
The Kerry Park Islanders played back-to-back games against the Peninsula Panthers at Panorama Rec Centre, winning 7-0 on Saturday and losing 3-2 on Sunday.
The Lake Cowichan Kraken also stormed out of the gates with a shutout, winning 8-0 over the Nanaimo Buccaneers on Monday night. The score was the same on Tuesday night, but not in the Kraken’s favour, as they lost to the visiting Oceanside Generals. Both games were played at the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena.
Mitchell Billings, who led the Lake Cowichan offence in their debut season a year ago, had three goals and two assists against the Bucs on Monday, and newcomer Mykhaylo Sheludchenko added a hat trick and one helper. Hometown hero Curtis Baird had four assists after posting five total points in 45 regular-season games last season. Dayton Vandepeear and Anthony Wilson also scored, and Ethan Toole and Anthony Wilson each had two assists, while Logan Moorhead and Brendan Wilson combined for the shutout.
The two clubs will connect a couple of times as exhibition play continues. The teams will meet in Lake Cowichan next Wednesday (Aug. 31) at 6:30 p.m., and at Kerry Park next Saturday (Sept. 3) at 7:30 p.m.
The Kraken will also visit the Buccaneers this Thursday (Aug. 25) at 7:15 p.m. and the Generals on Sunday (Aug. 28) at 2 p.m.