The Port Alberni Bombers were on the losing end of a 4-2 decision to Comox Valley Glacier Kings in Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) action on Wednesday night at the Alberni Valley Multiplex.
The result stretched the Bombers losing streak to eight games – seven in regulation and one in overtime. It was also the fifth straight loss on home ice.
The locals looked to have a fair chance of snapping out of their slump when they took a 2-1 lead at the thirty-six second mark of the second period, but the Glacier Kings scored twenty seconds later to tie the contest at 2-2 and the Bombers couldn’t rebound from there. Two more Comox Valley goals later in the period put the game out of reach, as neither team scored in the final frame.
Malik Oliva, with his thirteenth of the season and Kash Nicklin, on a beautiful setup from Joel Dorn were the Bomber marksmen.
In many ways, the Bombers were the better team – going 1-for-4 on the power play while holding the Glacier Kings scoreless on three opportunities with the man advantage, including a four-minute spell overlapping the second and third frames. The Bombers had opportunities, outshooting the visitors 38-27, but Anthony Ganoung in the Comox Valley goal was steady, if not spectacular at times, and took home third star honours.
The Bombers have one more game before the Christmas Break when they travel to Peninsula for a Sunday afternoon contest against the league-leading Panthers. That game is scheduled for a 4:30 pm puck drop at the Panorama Recreation Centre.
After the break they travel to Courtenay to face the Glacier Kings on Saturday, January 3, before returning home the next night to face Saanich Predators at the Alberni Valley Multiplex.
Bombers Lose Last Home Game before Break
