Skip to content

Victoria Cougars shoot for season-high six straight wins

Two of the hottest teams in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League will square off against each other this Thursday.

Two of the hottest teams in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League will square off against each other this Thursday as the Victoria Cougars host the Kerry Park Islanders in a South Island Division showdown.

Victoria goes for a season-high six straight wins while attempting to remain undefeated on home ice.

Their winning percentage of .775 ranks third to the Kimberley Dynamiters (.895) of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League and Mission City Outlaws (.825) of the Pacific Junior Hockey League.

With 115 goals in 20 games, no team in the VIJHL has scored more than the Cougars.  Their 37 goals allowed are the lowest in the league as well.

Victoria extended its winning streak last Thursday after beating the Comox Valley Glacier Kings 4-3. Cody Hodges scored twice against Comox Valley to give him nine goals in his last five games. Dom Kolbeins extended his point streak to 18 games after chipping in with a goal and an assist.  Nathan Looysen continues to lead the VIJHL in scoring with 47 points after adding two more assists to his already impressive résumé.

The Cougars are 8-0-1-0 at the Archie Browning Sports Centre and have won the last five games there.

Mark Van Helvoirt is still dealing with several key injuries to a number of his players. Kurtis Gamble, Liam Kinshella, John Kretzschmar, Lane Vandewetering, and Austin Wilk are all on the disabled list for Victoria.

When the Islanders visit, expect a physical game. Against Victoria this season, Kerry Park has gift wrapped the Cougars 21 power play opportunities over three games. The Islanders, who have allowed eight power play goals against Victoria, can ill afford to make as many visits to the penalty box as they have.

The Cougars have won all three meeting between the teams this season by scores of 6-3, 5-0, and 5-0.

Game time at the Archie Browning Sports Centre on Thursday is at 7 p.m.

Thursday is also Department of National Defense Night. All military personnel showing valid military identification will be admitted into the game free of charge.