Glacier Kings Fall To Oceanside

The Comox Valley Glacier Kings continue to have problems solving the Oceanside Generals this season. They lost 4-1 to make it six consecutive times they’ve been unable to beat Oceanside (0-5-0-1). After a scoreless first period, Oceanside scored on their first power play of the game to make it 1-0 after 40 minutes. An early 3rd period marker by Brodie Smith made it 2-0. Smith would end the night with a goal and 3 assists. His linemate Greyson Weme ended with 2 goals and an assist. Scott Arbuckle made it a 2-1 game with his first VIJHL goal. He took a feed from Austin Heidt and scored from in close. It looked as if Comox Valley might have a comeback in the making but Oceanside would score less than a minute and a half later and add another insurance goal less than a minute after that. Noah Giesbrecht stopped 17 of 18 shots but had to be pulled in the second period because of a reoccurring injury that has been plaguing him. The Glacier Kings line of Jory Swanson, Finn Withey and Praveen Dhaliwal were by far the most dangerous line all night despite being kept off the score sheet. The GKings finish the 2017 portion of their home schedule with a record of 2-14-0-0. They do have one game left however before they head home for Christmas. They will travel to Nanaimo on Thursday which is sure to be a tough match up against the best team in the VIJHL. The Buccaneers are 25-6-0-1 this season and a perfect 6-0 against Comox Valley. After Tuesday’s game, the Glacier Kings management held a little Christmas party for the players and volunteers. It included pizza, Christmas treats and a team picture.

Obviously my phone camera didn’t like the lighting. I’d like to thank Marsha, Iris and Dave for the food and treats. That was very generous.

Other observations:

• It was nice to see the Glacier Kings keep the puck for Scott Arbuckle after he scored his first VIJHL goal. Way to go Scott!
• Tanner Roberts was brought up as an AP (Affiliated Player) and played very well. Head coach Jordan Butcher said after the game that he also thought he was good.
• I brought my son Joey to the game on Tuesday. He sat with Ben Alexander’s little brother Anthony for the last 2 periods. Anthony is a terrific hockey player himself and could be sporting a Glacier Kings uniform in about 5 years.
• A big thanks to Lethbridge Hurricanes play by play broadcaster Dustin Forbes for coming by for a second intermission interview. Once upon a time he did the Glacier Kings broadcast. Also thanks to Mark Berry who does the pxp for Campbell River and runs the social media and website for the VIJHL. Both were great interviews.
• I believe the culture of the Glacier Kings has changed. They were all in suits for the Christmas get-together after the game and were all polite, respectful young gentleman.
• The players get to start celebrating the holiday season soon. After Thursday, some will be on holidays. For the players in school, Friday is the last day for most schools before they take their break.
• Congratulations to Finn Withey and Mauro D’Alessandro on being selected to the Prospects game January 7th in Campbell River. Both are very deserving.
• Merry Christmas to all the Glacier Kings players, coaches, management, fans and of course anyone who reads this blog!

Darryl Skender

Glacier Kings Win In Overtime

Jacob Kruse scored midway through the second overtime period to lift the Comox Valley Glacier Kings to a 3-2 win over the Kerry Park Islanders Saturday night. Comox led 1-0 after the first period on a goal by Praveen Dhaliwal. In the second, Kerry Park would tie it when goaltender Braedyn Funke came out of his net and misplayed the puck allowing Braydon Nelson to score short-handed with 3:48 left in the middle frame. However, the Glacier Kings would re-take the lead a couple minutes later when Jory Swanson potted his fourth of the season. In the third, Kerry Park owned a lot of the play once again as they had in the first 2 periods and would eventually tie it when Tanner Tiel beat Funke to the glove side. The game would go to 2 overtimes before being settled. Jacob Kruse would be the hero in this one netting his 8th of the season. Comox Valley got outplayed for most of the game but it was their will to keep fighting that helped them prevail. A good sign for a young team. Braedyn Funke was outstanding in net stopping 38 of 40 shots. Parker Swanson made 14 saves on 17 shots for the Islanders. The win improved the Glacier Kings record to 4-26-0-1. Kerry Park picked up one point with the overtime loss which moved them 1 point ahead of Peninsula in the South Division standings. They also trail Saanich by just one point. Up next for the GKings is the Oceanside Generals on Tuesday at the Sports Centre for their final home game before the Christmas break.

Other observations:

• It was Teddy Bear & Toque Toss night at the Sports Centre. Comox Valley had only scored a total of 3 goals in their last 5 games combined so it was a relief when Dhaliwal scored in the first period. Over 100 teddy bears and articles of warm clothing were collected from the ice in support of Dawn to Dawn.
• It is always fun to watch the TimBits play a 5 minute game during the first intermission but what made today different was all the Glacier Kings stayed on the ice to watch and help out instead of going to the dressing room. After the mini game was over they stayed on the ice so the TimBits could get their picture taken with them.
• The Glacier Kings home game on Tuesday is at 7:00 PM. Don’t be fooled because as of the time of this post, the VIJHL website says 7:15 PM.
• That was my first broadcast of the season that the Glacier Kings won. Two of the other wins were on the road and I was away for their only previous home win (Randall Heidt called that game).
• The Glacier Kings have now won 2 of the 3 meetings against Kerry Park this year. Their last match up is January 13th in Kerry Park.
• I have given Dave Webb a hard time (in fun) all season about the TV’s not working above the timekeepers bench. I saw today they weren’t even there. I talked to him after the game and he said technicians are coming in to fix the issue. I’m not liking the odds of them working anytime soon which is fine with me because I can keep giving him a hard time about it. All season he told me they would be working for the next game.
• Christian Stokes went into the end boards head first and has an upper body injury. I don’t see him returning unfortunately (at least not anytime soon)
• The GKings are now 1-1 in overtimes this season.
• Jacob Kruse was given Player of the Game honors with a goal and an assist for Comox, Parker Ellis received the game star for the Islanders. I’d like to give an honorable mention to Braedyn Funke.

See you all at the rink on Tuesday.

Darryl Skender

Time For Someone To Step Up Offensively

The Comox Valley Glacier Kings knew that their offence would suffer some with their pre-December 1st deals but now they need to count on someone besides Finn Withey to step up provide some goal scoring. They no longer have some of their top point getters including Willie Daigneault, Jake McKenzie, Joe Gage and Ty Madden. Withey continues to put up a point per game despite not having a lot of the top offensive players on the club anymore. This is a terrific opportunity for some of the younger players who are getting more ice time to take advantage of it and get increased rolls. Jacob Kruse and Jordan Neufeld have both looked good with the puck on their sticks. Unfortunately, Matteo Giomo has had trouble staying healthy and it doesn’t look like Damian Rennie will be back in the line up until sometime in the new year. Alex Wilford is also still out after that unfortunate incident. The month of December hasn’t been kind for Comox Valley as they have scored a total of just 2 goals in their last 4 games combined which includes being shutout in 3 of those 4 contests.

Tonight will be a great opportunity to score some goals when they travel to North Saanich for a rematch against the Peninsula Panthers. The Panthers, who beat Comox 3-2 last Saturday, have the second worst goals against average in the VIJHL. I expect the likes of Withey, Neufeld and Kruse to continue their strong play and if they can get strong goaltending, Comox could break their 10 game losing streak.

Head coach Jordan Butcher has strengthened the goaltending situation with the addition of Noah Giesbrecht and Braedyn Funke. He has also proved many times that he can fire up his troops after a lackluster period. Butcher has been short-handed since taking over the team because of all the injuries which have plagued the Glacier Kings this season (last game just 14 players and 2 goaltenders dressed) but has never used it as an excuse.

This is the 4th and final meeting between Peninsula and Comox. Here are the previous 3 results.

October 27: Peninsula 5 Comox Valley 2
October 28: Peninsula 4 Comox Valley 2
December 9: Peninsula 3 Comox Valley 2

The GKings next home game will be on Saturday night at 7:30 when the Kerry Park Islanders come for a visit. The Islanders will be without Forward Brandon McClintick as he has been suspended for 3 games for a staged fight with Matthew Berryman of Victoria. The incident took place at 5:16 of the third period of last night’s 3-1 Cougars victory.

Darryl Skender

Glacier Kings Lose a Squeaker To Panthers

The Peninsula Panthers scored 3 times in a 9 1/2 minute span in the 2nd period to beat the Comox Valley Glacier Kings 3-2 on Saturday. The Glacier Kings took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission on an unassisted goal by Jory Swanson. But the Panthers would get markers from Gavin Yee, Marshall Brown and Ty Hermsen in the middle frame while Jordan Neufeld potted the only Comox goal in the period on a breakaway. The goaltending was good on both sides. Bryce Schiebel just returned from the Victoria Grizzlies and stopped 17 of 19 shots for the win. Noah Giesbrecht, who was with Cowichan Valley last weekend, made 27 saves on 30 shots. Yee was the player of the game for the Panthers while Giesbrecht got the honors for the Glacier Kings.

Noah Giesbrecht

It was a very exciting ending with Comox having 3 chances to tie it with their net empty but came up short. Full marks to Peninsula for the victory and as they jump over Kerry Park in the standings and are now just 1 point out of 3rd place. The Glacier Kings drop to 3-24-0-1 for the season which includes a 1-13-0-0 mark at home. There’s no time to rest however as they play their 3rd game in 2 1/2 days when travel to Oceanside for an afternoon affair Sunday.

Other observations:

• Comox Valley was short-handed only once in the game. Penalties have been an issue for 2 seasons now so that was nice to see.
• It’s always terrific to have parents come up to say hi. Finn Withey’s parents came by the booth before the game and Noah Giesbrecht’s dad said hi after the game. Both had very positive words for us which is always nice.
• An interesting occurrence took place in the second period when Aidan Bate-Smith blocked a shot losing his glove in the process. He continued to finish his shift without the glove and then skated off. I made the comment I didn’t think he’d be allowed back on the ice until he got it back as that is part of his safety equipment. Sure enough, play continued and he was back on the ice a couple minutes later with just one glove on for about 10 or 15 seconds before retrieving it in his own end. I’m not sure if the referee just missed it or if that is allowed. Glacier King players lost their gloves 3 times in the game (just a useless stat for you).
• There was a good write up on the Glacier Kings and coach Jordan Butcher in last Tuesday’s newspaper. I had complained to the newspaper 3 times about the lack of coverage and they finally got it. I even offered to write the stories myself. Hopefully they keep it up.
• Dave Dueck was a saviour in the press box. I came to the arena about halfway through the pre-game warm ups as I worked late (again). I didn’t have a chance to eat and Dave brought up some ham & cheese buns. I’m guessing they were made by Marsha Webb and they were delicious. Thanks guys.
• Will Bryant (play by play guy for Panthers) did an interview with Randall Heidt during the first intermission. He sat in the stands below us during the game doing his own play by play into his phone. After the games, he syncs it up with the video to do highlights for the Panthers goals. That’s a great idea and a dedicated young man.
• I got Randall to come out of the second intermission talking first so I could finish chewing my bun so he put the headset on and started talking. I then put the other headset on and realized he had put mine on. It felt weird wearing his. I told him I felt naked without mine on so he quickly switched with me while saying, “Nobody wants to see that” and unfortunately he is right.
• I was disappointed showing up late because Brad Tippett is one of my favorite coaches to interview and I didn’t even get to say hi. He is a fellow Saskatchewan guy that played for the Prince Albert Raiders (when they were in the SJHL and coached the Raiders (in the WHL) as well as the Regina Pats. He also played college and professional hockey. He said during the pre-game show with Randall that since implementing full face shields on his team that his club has taken 10 percent less penalties than the other teams which is proof that there won’t be more liberties taken because players are feeling more fearless. I think for that study to be more effective however, let’s see what happens when all teams are forced to wear them next year.

Darryl Skender

Ruling To Wednesday’s Glacier Kings-Wolves Controversial Ending

I would like to make a disclaimer to this post that this is solely my opinion and not necessarily that of the Comox Valley Glacier Kings, the Westshore Wolves, the VIJHL, the VIJHL officials or anyone else involved in the following incidents. I am posting this due to the large volume of email I have received from viewers.

It was an exciting fast paced, high scoring game last Wednesday between Comox Valley and the Westshore Wolves which ended with a lot of controversy which appears to have cost the Glacier Kings 2 points. The game ended 8-7 for Westshore but it appears that some controversial calls had a direct impact on the result. Video was sent to the league and reviewed by a senior official with BC Hockey. Here are the 3 points of contention which took place at the “Q” Centre.

1- With less than 3 minutes to go in the second period, the puck was shot inside the Comox Valley blue line. Wolves forward Cameron Coutre went inside the line to forecheck. defenceman Mauro D’Alessandro retrieved the puck and shot it outside the line, Wolves forward Keiran Cardinal shot the puck back inside the blue line with Coutre still trapped inside. The linesman put his arm up in the air for a delayed offside (which was correct). With his arm still in the air for a delayed offside, Coutre, who is still inside the blue line takes the puck off Finn Withey’s stick and passes outside the Comox Valley blue line to a teammate. It should have been whistled down as soon as Coutre touched the puck and it should have been ruled an “intentional offside” with the face off going all the way down inside the Westshore blue line. Instead, for some unknown reason, the linesman puts his arm down when the puck leaves the blue line. The Glacier Kings ease up thinking it was offside (which it was) and two of them even point at Coutre. Instead of the whistle being blown, play goes on with Cameron Kinsman picking up the loose puck at the blue line and scores. The officials huddled afterwards and called it a good goal with 2:39 left to break a 5-5 tie and give Westshore the lead. (Benjamin Duffin and Chase O’Keefe somehow got assists on the play when Coutre and Cardinal should have but that’s beside the point. The goal should not have counted.) Here was the conclusion after the video was sent in.

A senior official with BC hockey said that the play should have been blown dead due to the puck being touched by an attacking player during a delayed offside.

 

2- With the Glacier Kings trailing 7-6 late in the third period, Jordan Neufeld sent Finn Withey in on a breakaway. Withey dekes to his backhand on goaltender Luke Sheldrake and raises his arms as if he scores with 1:28 left. The linesman was right on goal line covering for the referee who was still making his way down the ice. The linesman pointed to the back of the net appearing to call it a goal. After a brief discussion with the referee, they leave the goal area with the linesman pointing at the net again and the scoreboard goes to 7-7. Then a long discussion at centre ice took place between the referee and the 2 linesmen. It probably went about 3 minutes, then eventually the linesman waved it off and the scoreboard went back to 7-6 in favor of Westshore. Here was the conclusion after the video was sent in.

A senior official with BC hockey said that the video was inconclusive so the original call on the ice (after the officials huddled and came up with a decision) should stand. Video cannot overturn it as the puck disappears from view of the camera.

• My point on this is that it appeared the original call on the ice was a goal so it should not have been overturned by trailing officials that did not see it.

 

3- After Jacob Kruse tied the game with 32 seconds left in the third period on a turnover, the Glacier Kings appeared to take the lead with 10 seconds remaining. Mauro D’Alessandro took a shot from the point that deflected off of Finn Withey’s skate in the slot and into the net. Once again the officials huddled and said “no goal” due to it being kicked in so the game remained 7-7. Withey was standing in the slot facing D’Alessandro at the blue line (meaning his back is to the opposing net). There was no kicking motion whatsoever (and I’m not so sure he could have the way he was facing anyways). Afterwards, not only did the referee not call it a goal, he gave the Glacier Kings a bench minor for their backlash of frustration. Because a penalty was called, the faceoff went inside the Glacier Kings blue line. And wouldn’t you know it, just 6 seconds later, the Wolves scored with 4 seconds left on the power play to win the game. And to top it off, the Glacier Kings Mauro D’Alessandro got frustrated over the missed call and got a game misconduct. Because it happened in the last 10 minutes of the third period, by rule he also got a one game suspension which he served Saturday night. Here was the conclusion after the video was sent in.

A senior official with BC hockey said that the puck appeared to be directed in and NOT kicked in. He quoted Rule 10.7 that determines “Kicking the puck shall be permitted in all zones. This action cannot result in a goal being scored.” Since there was no kicking motion, the goal should have counted.

 

The final outcome was an 8-7 win for Westshore. It was very tough for a young Glacier Kings team that has had trouble getting wins this year. Finn Withey should have also had a 4 goal game instead of the pair he is credited with. I’m not going mention any of the names of the officials as the reason behind this post is not to embarrass them or the league. It is an important post though because I truly believe these calls and missed calls had a direct effect on the outcome. I welcome any comments on anyone who saw the game.

Darryl Skender