Kings and Bombers Meet Again on Thanksgiving Monday With North Standings Tightly Packed

Two nights after the Comox Valley Glacier Kings rolled into Port Alberni and left with a 6-0 win, the two teams meet again on Thanksgiving Monday at the Comox Valley Sports Centre. Puck drop is earlier than usual, at 6:00 PM.

The stakes are bigger than the date suggests. Campbell River, Comox Valley, and Port Alberni are all sitting on 10 points, tied for fourth through sixth in the North Division. The Glacier Kings (5-5-0-0) hold fifth, the Bombers (4-5-2-0) are sixth, and with Campbell River hosting Saanich earlier in the afternoon, the picture could shift before puck drop.

Comox Valley comes in on a two-game winning streak and riding a wave of emotion after Saturday’s 6-5 overtime win over Victoria. That game delivered the Kings’ first home win of the season. Elias Haukeness won it 3:26 into overtime, and both of his goals this season have been game-winners, enough to lead every defenceman in the league in that category.

Port Alberni bounced back from Friday’s shutout loss in a big way, beating Kerry Park 9-2 on Saturday. Ethan Losier made 32 saves in that one, and he’s the goaltender who beat Comox Valley 3-2 at the Sports Centre back on September 19, so he could be the one the Kings see again tonight. Xavier Hahn was in net for Friday’s 6-0 game.

The Bombers have a balanced attack. Rookie Bogdan Rogushkin leads the way with 11 points (6G, 5A), tied with Kilian Alves Pereira (4G, 7A) and Joel Dorn (2G, 9A). Dorn also brings an edge: he leads the VIJHL with 11 minor penalties. Two Bombers are celebrating birthdays this weekend. Preston Dorusak turned 18 on Saturday, and Ivan Ponomarev, who has nine points this season, turned 19 on Sunday.

For Comox Valley, Leon Mikhalchuk has taken over the team scoring lead with 12 points (4G, 8A), good for 11th in the league. Westin Churchill scored twice in Friday’s win in Port Alberni. Ethan Gobel has made an immediate impact, putting up five points (3G, 2A) in his first three games, including a four-point night against Victoria.

Special teams have been a real strength for the Glacier Kings. Their power play has climbed to second in the league at 27.3 percent, and their penalty kill remains the best in the VIJHL at 90.3 percent. Rookie defenceman Cruze Kopeck’s two power-play goals lead all league defencemen. Comox Valley has also allowed just 23 goals, the fewest in the league.

In goal, Anthony Ganoung leads the VIJHL with a .953 save percentage and shut out the Bombers on 28 shots on Friday. Ander Reyes picked up the win on Saturday with 41 saves.

Two trends are worth watching. The Glacier Kings are 5-0 when leading after two periods, and 0-5 when trailing after the first. Fatigue could also play a part, as both teams are playing their third game in four nights.

History favours Comox Valley. The Kings went 3-0-0-1 against Port Alberni last season and are 13-3-2-1 against the Bombers over the last five seasons. This season’s series is tied 1-1.

After tonight, the Glacier Kings head to Westshore on Friday for a 7:30 PM meeting with the unbeaten Wolves.