The Port Alberni Bombers opened their Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) 2025-26 pre-season with a 7-5 loss to the Oceanside Generals on Monday afternoon at the Alberni Valley Multiplex.
The Bombers jumped out to an early lead as two goals from Kash Nicklin and another from Jeremy Gould gave the locals a 3-0 lead just over six minutes into the contest.
But from there things changed as the Generals scored four straight goals, three of them on the power play to take a 4-3 lead early in the second frame. Only a shorthanded goal by Quinn Bouchard near the mid-point of the middle period stemmed the tide somewhat, but the Generals rebounded, scoring twice more for a 6-4 lead as the teams went to the dressing rooms for the second intermission.
Both teams scored a goal in the final period, Gould picking up his second of the game for the Bombers to end the scoring.
The Bombers continue early play with games on Friday night in Nanaimo against the Buccaneers, before returning to the Multiplex to conclude the pre-season with a Sunday afternoon tilt against those same Buccaneers. Opening face-off on Sunday is set for 1:00 pm.
The VIJHL regular season begins for the Bombers on Friday, September 5 when they travel to Lake Cowichan and a date with the Kraken. The Bombers will play two more on the road – Saturday, September 6 against the Oceanside Generals in Parksville, and Friday, September 12 when they travel to Campbell River to face the Storm.
The Bombers home opener is scheduled for Saturday, September 13 when Nanaimo Buccaneers invade the Multiplex. Puck drop for that game is set for 7:00 pm.
Bombers Pre-Season Games Begin
