Nicolas Kalinocka’s natural hat trick powered the Lake Cowichan Kraken to a 6-3 win over the Port Alberni Bombers in their Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League season opener on Sept. 5.
Kalinocka scored twice for the Kraken before the first 10 minutes were played. He got his natural hat trick goal with 39 seconds left in the first period to extend the Lake Cowichan lead, though the Bombers did sneak one goal into the Kraken net in the period.
Entering the second stanza up 3-1, the Kraken maintained their scoring pace with another three goals. The first came from Iaroslav Morozov on the power play.
Kieran Prichett scored the next two as part of his four-point night.
The Bombers scored once in the second and once more early in the third but Lake Cowichan goalie Alfie Blakeley stood tall, shutting the door to earn his first regular season VIJHL win and third star honours. Kalinocka and Prichett were the first and second stars respectively.
Captain Aleksander Leonelli praised his team's efforts against Port Alberni.
"The home opener was awesome. The boys came out very strong," he said. "One of our lines was plus-five on the night and doesn’t get much better than that."
All told, seven Kraken skaters got on the scoresheet with three players earning multi-point nights, led by Kalinocka's three-goal, two-assist effort.
Lake Cowichan played host to the Victoria Cougars on Sept. 12 and visited the Kerry Park Islanders on Sept. 13. Those results were unavailable by the Gazette's deadline.
Ice Chips
The Kraken's leadership team has officially been announced with returning captain Aleksander Leonelli leading the charge.
Wearing the 'A's during home games are Logan Walz and Luke Bennett — who is currently playing with the Surrey Eagles in the BCHL — if he returns to the team.
The Kraken's road assistants are Colby Jefferies and Toby Johnson.
“They are the leaders of our team without a doubt,” said owner/GM Harbs Bains. “They are our go-to guys.”
