The Victoria Cougars continue to lead the pack in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League, going for their 22nd win in a row this Wednesday when they visit the Westshore Wolves.
Wednesday marks the first of three games over a five day stretch for Victoria. Following their game against Westshore, the Cougars return home to face the Saanich Braves on Thursday night before concluding the weekend with a matinee affair against the Nanaimo Buccaneers on Sunday.
With a record of 31-4-1-0, Victoria continues to lead the league. Not far behind is the north Island division leading Campbell River Storm who sit just two points back, but the Cougars have played two fewer games.
Westshore, with a record of 18-18-0-3, sits in sole possession of fourth place in the south Island division but are only two points behind both the Kerry Park Islanders and Peninsula Panthers.
Wednesday also marks the eighth and final regular season meeting between these two teams. Victoria leads its head-to-head series with the Wolves having won six times out of seven.
The Cougars kept their winning streak intact by beating Westshore 4-3 last Thursday. Dom Kolbeins, Cody Hodges, Ryan Carson, and James Scott spotted Victoria a four-goal lead midway through the third period before a pair of power play goals from Wolves’ Cam Kinsman and a shorthanded goal from Brodie Smith made things interesting.
It was another tight game for the Cougars. Four of their past five games have been decided by a mere goal.
Westshore was without their top and third leading scorer in Cory Hatcher and Nathan Gelsinger for that game.Gelsinger was called up by the Victoria Grizzlies for their road trip through Prince George and Coquitlam.
Cougars’ backup goalie Gregory Maggio was not in the lineup last Thursday either. He was travelling though Surrey, Penticton, and Trail with the Power River Kings. All three players should be back in their respective lineup on Wednesday.
The Wolves are coming off a 5-4 overtime win over the Comox Valley Glacier Kings. Scoring the game winner was Nicholas Polomark who notched his first goal since Oct. 21.
Game time at The Q Centre is 7 p.m.