Story and Photos by Christian J. Stewart (ISN) - The Saanich Braves received goals from seven different goal scorers, including two from Shawn McBride in their 8-0 win over the Kerry Park Islanders Friday night at Pearkes Arena in Saanich. The win was the Braves third in three nights after road wins over Westshore on Wednesday and Nanaimo on Thursday and moves the Braves record to 6-1.

 

Things started slowly for the Braves Friday, as a Josh Gray power play marker at the 5:49 mark of the first period would be the only tally in the first period, one that saw the Braves outshoot the Islanders 9-5.

Saanich's Josh Gray would have another solid night with a goal and three assists in the 8-0 win over Kerry Park Friday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart / Island Sports News)

Things would pick up dramatically in the second period however, as the Braves would explode for five goals to take over the game. Ty Jones would get things going at the 1:13 mark as he would pick up a Brandon Parmar stretch pass, cruise in on the left wing and snap a low burner past Islander starter Jackson Jane.

Brandon Parmar streaks through the neutral zone in Friday's action (Photo: Christian J. Stewart / Island Sports News)

Shawn McBride would follow that up less than a minute later as he picked up a loose puck in front of the net and snapped it high over Jane's shoulder for the 3-0 lead. Three minutes later, Liam Sproule would hustle in off the point for a shot, follow up his own rebound and bury it behind Jane for the 4-0 lead.

Shawn McBride would earn first star honours with 2 goals and an assist Friday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart / Island Sports News)

The Braves closed out the period with goals from major-midget call-up Jack Rachwalski and McBride's second of the night to take a 6-0 lead into the second intermission.

In the third period, the Braves would find themselves in penalty trouble which would allow the Islanders to fire 11 shots on Tanner McGaw, double their total to that point in the game, but McGaw would hold the fort and keep the Islanders off the board.

Ty Jones moved up to 4th place in VIJHL scoring with a goal and 4 assists Friday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart / Island Sports News)

Meanwhile the Braves extended their lead with goals from Garret Kemmler (on the power play) and the second in two nights from rookie Nick Guerra, who appears to be coming around after a quiet first few games.

With the loss, the struggling Islanders drop to 0-6-1 on the season and sit in last place in the South with just a single point. The Braves sit in second in the South and overall, 5 points back of league leading Victoria, but with 2 games in hand.

Andrew White prepares to make a pass in Friday's action against Kerry Park (Photo: Christian J. Stewart / Island Sports News)

After their three games in three days scheduling quirk, the Braves are now off until next Friday October 5th, when they host the Nanaimo Buccaneers at Pearkes Arena.