Brady O'Brien and Tyler Gyori celebrate a first period goal in game one of the VIJHL Final on Wednesday, March 29 at Oceanside Place in Parksville (Gus Galloway Photography)

By Ian Holmes

impressive win

Generals discharge Predators to open VIJHL Final

Mar 29, 2023 | 11:10 PM

PARKSVILLE — A dominant performance for the Oceanside Generals featured timely scoring and constant physical play to open the VIJHL Final Wednesday night in front of a packed house in Parksville.

Six different Generals lit the lamp, including four straight goals in the final two periods, en-route to a decisive 6-2 win over the Saanich Predators in front of 1,137 spectators at Oceanside Place.

Generals head coach Dan Lemmon felt it was his club’s best performance of the playoffs.

“When we move our feet with the structure we play we can be physical and I thought we did that.”

The Generals made life difficult on Predators goaltender Dryden Demelo, who faced 56 shots, including many of the high quality variety.

vehicle damage

Over 40 vehicles damaged during late-night Nanaimo vandalism spree

4h ago

rising costs

RDN taxpayers want relief as board grapples with budget

8h ago

new mayor

Spring Mayoral by-election called in Ladysmith

21h ago

Oceanside peppered the Predators goaltender throughout the night, piling up 30 scoring chances, including 13 in the final period.

Oceanside outshot Saanich 56-21.

Despite being outplayed, the visitors found themselves tied 2-2 after the first period.

Brendan Carlson and Nolan Kehoe scored important second period tallies for the hosts, setting the stage for a solid third period where Tyson Pauze and Miles Carson found the back of the net for Oceanside.

Colten Thompson and Sean Pandher scored in the first period for Saanich, while Oceanside’s first period goals came off the sticks of Jacob Thomas and Tyler Gyori.

Coach Lemmon said they played with purpose and weren’t hesitant.

“I thought we took it to them for the most part, that’s a good team over there, they’re going to make adjustments. We’re going to a very small rink where they have a big home ice advantage and they play good hockey there.”

The Predators displayed frustration as the game progressed, including stalwart defenceman Taylor Webb, who was assessed a 10 minute misconduct in the third period.

Gyori, a 19-year-old forward had a productive night for Oceanside with a goal and an assist.

The Bentley, AB product said their physical play was key.

“The boys came out really well tonight, we forechecked hard and made their defence cough up the puck,” Gyori said.

Gyori has elevated his game in the playoffs, serving as as an instrumental two-way centre on the top line between Carter Johnson and Jacob Thomas.

Gyori is committed to play for the La Ronge Ice Wolves of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League next season.

Matthew Hutchison picked up the win in goal for Oceanside with 19 saves.

Both teams were 1/5 on the powerplay.

Game two of the best-of-seven series is Saturday night at the George Pearkes Recreation Centre in Saanich at 6:30 p.m.

Game three is Sunday April 2 at Oceanside Place in Parksville at 7 p.m.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes