The Generals scored early in the second overtime session to advance to their second consecutive VIJHL Final. (Gus Galloway/Oceanside Generals)

By Ian Holmes

unfinished business

VIDEO: Oceanside Generals electrocute Storm to advance to VIJHL Final

Mar 24, 2023 | 10:05 AM

PARKSVILLE — It may have been a five game series victory for the Oceanside Generals, but the VIJHL North Division Final was decidedly much closer.

Four straight wins, including three dramatic overtime victories, paced the Generals to a 4-1 series victory over their arch rival Campbell River Storm.

Oceanside defeated Campbell River 5-4 in double overtime at Oceanside Place on Thursday, March 23 in front of a raucous crowd of 1,204 fans.

Jacob Thomas scored at the 6:42 mark of the second overtime session to send the Generals to the league final for a second straight year.

“There was nothing cooler than turning around and seeing 1,200 people jump up at the same time,” Thomas told Generals play-by-play voice Kyle Ireland.

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Thomas, a 19-year-old forward from Campbell River, cleaned up his own rebound in the slot and wristed the puck past the glove hand of Storm goaltender Nick Peters.

It was a measure of revenge for Thomas who had a goal disallowed in the first overtime session when the Storm net was dislodged by its goaltender just prior to Thomas putting the puck in behind him.

Thomas returned to the Generals lineup after he was injured in game one of the series.

Generals associate coach Reid Coleman said Thomas is an invaluable contributor.

“He’s a guy that adds a lot to our group,” Coleman said. “He’s a gritty player who plays on both sides of the ice and has so much goal-scoring potential. He’s a guy who’s hard not to put on the ice in those big situations.”

Oceanside built up a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes and were up 4-0 nearly three minutes into the second period.

Storm interim head coach Jordan Rauser then called a timeout to settle his team down.

It was a move which immediately paid off.

Storm forward Carter De Boer put the visitors on the board with an impressive net drive down the left wing to beat Generals goaltender Matthew Hutchison just nine seconds later.

Campbell River would score the next three goals, including another tally by De Boer with the extra attacker and just 33 seconds left in regulation time.

Coleman credited the Storm for giving them all they could handle throughout the series.

“They gave it to us for five games straight, they gave us their best and we were just a little bit better. We knew how to close down games with a veteran group and that’s all it came down to.”

Players celebrate with some of the over 1,200 fans at Howie Meeker Arena Thursday night as the Generals advanced to a second straight league final (Gus Galloway/Oceanside Generals)

Other Oceanside goal scorers were Braedan Leary, Nolan Kehoe, Carter Johnson and Parker Klippenstein.

Miles Carson provided a solid support role with two assists.

In addition to the pair of goals by De Boer, Davis Frank and Mitchell Finner also found the back of the net for the visitors.

Oceanside outshot Campbell River 55-43.

The Generals went 0-for-3 on the powerplay, while Campbell River was 1-for-1 with the man advantage.

Oceanside will play the winner of the South Division Final between the Victoria Cougars and Saanich Predators.

Saanich has a 3-2 series lead and host Victoria Friday night.

Regardless of opponent, Oceanside will open up the series in Parksville on Wednesday, March 29.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes