With two more losses last weekend, the Kerry Park Islanders went into the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League’s Christmas break on a four-game winless streak.
The Isles lost 3-2 to the Saanich Predators on Friday, in the second game of a home-and-home series that started with a shootout loss at Kerry Park Arena the previous Tuesday. Back in Mill Bay on Saturday, the Isles suffered a 4-0 loss to the league-leading Campbell River Storm.
After a scoreless opening period, the Predators took over with three goals in the second, including two on the powerplay. The Isles responded with two from Colten Thompson in the third, the second shorthanded, but they couldn’t close the gap.
Thompson’s pair gave him 16 on the season, tied with Brady Estabrook for the team lead, while his three shorthanded markers are the most on the Islanders and tied for second in the VIJHL.
Dryden DeMelo made 28 saves as the Isles outshot the Predators 35-31.
The following night, Nick Peters stopped all 30 of the Islanders’ shots for his second shutout of the season. DeMelo was solid in the Kerry Park net once again, making 28 saves on 32 shots.
Shawnigan Lake School grad Riley Billy had two goals and one assist for Campbell River, and Duncan’s Kal Nagy had an assist.
Kerry Park is now fourth in the VIJHL’s South Division, 10 points back of the Westshore Wolves and eight ahead of the Predators. The team is currently holding down one of two wildcard spots for the VIJHL playoffs.
The Isles will close out 2021 with a home-and-home series against the Peninsula Panthers. The teams will meet at Panorama next Wednesday, then again at Kerry Park Arena on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.