Bombers Win Convincingly over Generals.

The Port Alberni Bombers, struggling through their worst stretch of play in the 2024-25 Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL)campaign, will go into the Christmas Break with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads after defeating Oceanside Generals 10-0 on Saturday night at the Alberni Valley Multiplex.
Having lost their last five contests, including a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Comox Valley Glacier Kings on Friday night, the Bombers rebounded with a comprehensive victory that saw them outshoot their opponents 67-17 on the evening. It was the Bombers, and their goaltender Tom Forrest’s first shutout of the season, after being shutout themselves for the first time the previous night.
The Bombers scored early and then often – Daniel Betcher started the proceedings, scoring just over two minutes into the contest and before the first frame was over the locals led 4-0. Kash Nicklin with two goals and Jack Barrett rounded out the scoring as the teams went into the first intermission.
Three more goals in the second period and three more in the final frame completed the whitewash. Jaxon Hinchey, Elliot Kuprash and Leim Smith did the damage in the middle stanza, while Sean Richards, Jack Barrett with his second of the night, and Kash Nicklin with his third of the evening, rounded out the scoring in the final frame.
Luke Ridgway had three assists for the Bombers, while Richards and Nathan Hayes added two helpers and McCall Nault, Solstice Tennant, Owen Ditzel, Joel Dorn, Betcher, Kuprash, Zach Spafford, Smith, Kai Verbrugge and John Shields all chipped in with one assist each before the announced crowd of 401 patrons.
The Bombers players now disperse to their separate homes for the Christmas Break, comfortably ensconced in second place in the VIJHL’s North Division. The team doesn’t play until Saturday, January 4, when they travel to Mill Bay to play Kerry Park Islanders. Their next game on home ice is a week later, Friday, January 11, when they host Saanich Predators at the Multiplex. Opening face off is scheduled for 7:00 pm.