The Port Alberni Bombers, after dropping their first pre-season game earlier in the week, travelled to Nanaimo on Friday night and came away with a 4-2 victory in Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League action at the Nanaimo Ice Centre.
After falling behind 1-0 and 2-1, the Bombers scored three unanswered goals to put the game away. Malik Oliva scored two goals for the Bombers, the second coming only six seconds into the third period when he intercepted a cross-ice pass and scored on a breakaway from the blue line to give the Bombers their first lead at 3-2. Quinn Bouchard, who scored his second goal of the pre-season, and McCall Nault, who scored on the power play, were the other Bomber scorers. Jeremy Gould, Mason Smith, Joel Dorn and Nault added assists.
Xavier Hahn stopped 33 of 35 shots to record the win between the pipes for Port Alberni.
The Bombers and Buccaneers will renew acquaintances on Sunday when they meet at the Alberni Valley Multiplex. The opening face-off is scheduled for 1:00 pm.
The Bombers will then embark on the 2025-26 regular season. The schedule sees the team playing their first three games on the road. They will open their campaign on Friday in Lake Cowichan against the Kraken before travelling to Parksville and a date with the Oceanside Generals on Saturday night. The following weekend they travel to Campbell River to face the Storm on Friday, September 12, and finally, return to the friendly confines of the Multiplex on Saturday, September 13, and a date with Nanaimo. Opening face-off for that contest is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
Bomber Get First Pre-Season Win
