The Port Alberni Bombers began the 2025-26 Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) campaign with a 6-3 loss to Lake Cowichan Kraken on Friday night in Lake Cowichan.
The first period was all Nicolas Kalinocka and Kieran Prichett as the Kraken forwards each picked up three points in the first twenty minutes – Kalinocka scoring three goals with Prichett assisting on all of them to give Lake Cowichan a 3-1 lead after one period. Kash Nicklin, on the power play, with Makhi Wandler assisting scored for the Bombers.
The second period was more of the same – Iaroslav Morozov with one goal and Prichett with two markers added to the Kraken lead, while Kaydin Halladay scored for the Bombers with assists going to Nicklin and Joel Dorn, as the Kraken led 6-2 after forty minutes.
Kaelen Basnett scored the only goal of the third period for either team with Chase Pouchnik and Simon Holubar assisting.
Kalinocka and Prichett led the Kraken – the former picking up three goals and two assists, the latter adding two goals and three assists.
The Bombers travel to Parksville on Saturday night as they continue VIJHL action, this time against Oceanside Generals. Opening face-off at Oceanside Place is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
