The Saanich Braves proved that they are a team to be contended with this season. After beating the Victoria Cougars 5-1 Friday night, they came back to down Comox 10-3 Saturday night. The Braves led by scores of 3-1 and 8-1 before both teams netted a couple goals each in the 3rd. The line of Grewal, McCabe and Hahn was dominate almost every shift. Dale McCabe had a 4 point night while four other Saanich players had 3 point games. One of the few bright spots for the Glacier Kings was Willie Daigneault who potted 2 goals in the loss. The 2nd period is what did Comox in as they were outshot 17-5 and outscored 5-0. There were far too many defensive lapses in their own end and a couple weak goals allowed. The game actually got off to a terrific start for the Glacier Kings as they scored a goal just 6 seconds in when Mauro D’Alessandro tried shooting puck in, Riley Mathieson went behind the net to stop the puck but it took a funny hop off the boards and angled right into the open net. The win pulled the Braves into a 3-way tie for 2nd place in the South while the GKings dropped to 1-5-0-1. It was the first game for Paul Mugford behind the bench but it wouldn’t be fair to guage him on Saturday’s performance. Mugford hasn’t even had a practice with his team or been able to implement any changes yet. Also, the players were still in a little bit of shock. The situation will get a little easier everyday and the Glacier Kings will get back on track. The best thing for the new coach is to have the next 2 games on the road, away from the pressures of the home fans so he can make tweaks, learn about his players, get some practices and games together and improve both on and off the ice. Their next test will be on Wednesday in Westshore, which is the only team the Glacier Kings have beaten this year. Saanich is off until Thursday when they travel to Nanaimo.
Other observations:
- The Glacier Kings have allowed more goals in the last 2 games (22) then 6 other teams have allowed all season.
- Cody Shepheard showed flashes of brilliance undressing Saanich players a number of times
- Willie Daigneault is now tied for 4th place in the VIJHL in goals with 5.
- For the pre-game warm up, both teams had to slide their own nets in the crease and lift them onto their pegs.
- The Braves didn’t show up to the arena until 6:10 PM because their bus broke down about 30 miles out of Saanich and they had to get another one.
- Sam Waterfield has done a great job with his team in regards to etiquette. After the game was well out of reach, his players didn’t have an exuberant celebration or do the usual high 5 along bench after a goal. They simply skated back to the bench to go off for a change. That was classy.
- Head coach Paul Mugford is staying on to help his former Midget ‘A’ team for morning practices until they find a replacement coach. He watched his former team lose 5-3 to Cowichan just before the start of the Glacier Kings game.
- The video screens above the timekeepers bench may be operational for the next home game. Dave Webb has been working on it. They will feature sponsors as well as possible game action and replays. The fans watching the game will be able to see it as they sit across the ice looking towards the video screens. Dave is doing more work on it on Monday.
- I have updated the “Interviews” section of this site with Jake Mckenzie and Paul Mugford.
Above The Pond 