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Kerry Park Islanders clinch playoff spot with win over Kraken

Isles lock up one of two wildcard berths

The Kerry Park Islanders clinched a berth in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League playoffs with a 3-2 win over the Lake Cowichan Kraken on Tuesday night.

Although the Isles were already out of the running for one of three guaranteed playoff berths for the South Division, they were able to lock up the first of two wildcard spots with a victory on Tuesday, putting themselves out of reach of the Port Alberni Bombers. The Bombers are still chasing the Kraken for the second and final wildcard berth.

John Ross opened the scoring with his fifth goal in 10 games this season just 92 seconds into the first period, and the Kraken answered back soon after. Cole Sloboda had the only goal of the second, and Brady Estabrook added the eventual game-winner at 12:19 of the third. The Kraken managed one more with 92 seconds left in regulation, but couldn’t find the equalizer despite pulling their goalie. Matt Baird and Reid Fitzpatrick each had two assists on the night, while Eric Young made 27 saves as the Isles outshot the Kraken 44-29.

The Isles previously split a pair of games over the weekend, losing 4-3 to the Saanich Predators on Friday night and beating the Westshore Wolves 6-3 at home on Saturday.

The Isles trailed the Preds 3-0 after two periods, then mounted a comeback in the third with a pair of goals by Estabrook, the second coming on the powerplay. Saanich went up 4-2 before Kirk Whittaker got the Isles back within one. Dryden DeMelo made 34 saves as the Isles outshot the Preds 39-38.

On Saturday, defenceman Ben Northcott had a goal and two assists as the Isles doubled up on the Wolves. Kerry Park outscored Westshore 2-1 in each period, getting goals from Northcott and Logan Walker in the first, Kellan Bates and Fitzpatrick in the second, and Estabrook and Baird in the third. Young made 28 saves as the Isles outshot the Wolves 39-31.

The Isles were set to face the Wolves again on Wednesday at the Q Centre. Kerry Park has one home game left in the regular season, this Saturday against the Peninsula Panthers, facing off at 7:30 p.m.