The Panago Midget Tyees have been an opportunistic group so far in their young season, and the Oc.t 4-5 weekend was no exception.
However, rather than having opportunities to bury other teams’ mistakes, they had opportunities to deal with adversity on Oct. 4 at home and Oct. 5 at Juan De Fuca.
With their status in their tier largely decided, Campbell River faced a hungry Comox team Saturday evening, dealing with an early barrage of shots, from anywhere and everywhere.
Tyees goalie Michael Sampson gave the Chiefs nothing, and Campbell River weathered the first period storm, with Comox outshooting Campbell River 19-8 at the ice-clean. The Tyee defense played a strong, disciplined game and allowed Comox few rebounds, and little sustained zone time, with strong work in front of the net by Matt Barker and corner work by Tyson Dumont. Rookie Doug Campbell showed some puck-rushing flare, and was a strong presence on the Tyee power play. Campbell River was able to break out sharply, which allowed them to control play through the second half, outshooting the Chiefs 26-16.
The Tyees scored first, early in the second period, as Jake McKenzie’s cross crease pass deflected into the net off a Comox defenseman.
After a short-handed goal by the Chiefs, Campbell River responded with one of their own, with Travis Goodwin doing all the work and finishing five-hole.
Comox tied it on a mad goal-mouth scramble late in the second, only for the Tyees to be denied the winner on a quick whistle late in the third.
Comox had crashed the Tyee crease all game and the nervous official made the Tyees pay the price, with the game ending in a 2-2 tie.
Sunday’s game in Victoria was a frustrating contest for the visitors who faced a previously undefeated, disciplined Juan De Fuca squad.
The Tyees came away a goal short, losing 2-1.