The Oceanside Generals look for their first VIJHL title since 2009, opening their playoffs against Port Alberni on Wednesday. (Island Images Photography)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

PLAYOFF HOCKEY

Surging Generals eye up first round VIJHL playoff matchup

Feb 27, 2023 | 1:09 PM

PARKSVILLE — The record-shattering Oceanside Generals will take on Port Alberni in the first round of the VIJHL playoffs.

The Generals come into the post season on a 23-game winning streak, helping them comfortably win the VIJHL regular season title and home ice advantage throughout the entire playoffs.

Oceanside will open up their quest for a second Brent Patterson Memorial Trophy on Wednesday, March 1 in Parksville.

Games will alternate between Parksville and Port Alberni for the best-of-seven series, which will end Saturday, March 11 in Parksville if it goes the distance.

Their season series started close, with a 5-4 opening night Oceanside win, but was largely lopsided by the end. The Generals swept the Bombers in six matchups, outscoring them 35-11 including a 10-0 in their most recent meeting.

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The Generals are led offensively by Carter Johnson, who was the only VIJHL player to break 100 points this year, scoring 103, and finished 24 points clear of the next highest point getter.

Nanaimo-born defenceman Brendan Carlson finished fourth in league scoring and led all blue liners in goals and points.

In net, Matthew Hutchison and Ashton Sadauskas were 1-2 in league goaltending statistics, going 19-1-1 and 21-2-0 respectively

For Port Alberni, Chase Pacheco led the team with 46 points in 44 games, scorring 27th in league scoring while goaltender Felix Plendl took a bulk of the starts, going 10-12-1 with a 3.06 GAA.

The full schedule for games is below, with live broadcasts available on 88.5 The Beach.

• Game 1: Wednesday, March 1 – 7:15 p.m. – Oceanside Place
• Game 2: Thursday, March 2 – 7:00 p.m. – Alberni Valley Multiplex
• Game 3: Saturday March 4 – 7:00 p.m. – Oceanside Place
• Game 4: Monday March 6 – 7:00 p.m. – Alberni Valley Multiplex
• Game 5*: Wednesday, March 8 – 7:15 p.m. – Oceanside Place
• Game 6*: Friday, March 10 – 7:00 p.m. – Alberni Valley Multiplex
• Game 7*: Saturday, March 11 – 7:00 p.m. – Oceanside Place
  Goaltender Matthew Hutchison has split time fairly evenly in net with Ashton Sadauskas this season. (Island Images Photography)

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