After taking three of four games in exhibition play, the Lake Cowichan Kraken are aiming to turn preseason promise into regular-season victories in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League.
"The preseason can shape how the regular season starts," said returning captain Aleksander Leonelli. "Every year we have had a ton of new guys, and right off the bat this year we have already meshed well together. The team is already more motivated to win and as a returning player, my expectation for the season is to consistently win. It is a night and day difference than last season already."
The Kraken opened preseason with a 4-2 road win over the Comox Valley Glacier Kings, followed by a 5-4 victory at home. They added a 5-2 home win over the Oceanside Generals before closing August with a 4-3 loss to the Peninsula Panthers.
Lake Cowichan kicked off their regular season at home on Sept. 5 with the Port Alberni Bombers visiting.
The Kraken play three of their next five games at home: Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m. against the Victoria Cougars; Sept. 21, 5:30 p.m. against the Saanich Predators; and Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m. against the Port Alberni Bombers.
On the road, Lake Cowichan faces the Kerry Park Islanders in Mill Bay on Sept. 13 and the Peninsula Panthers at Panorama Recreation Centre on Sept. 19. Both games start at 7:30 p.m.
In addition to Leonelli, Logan Walz and Nicolas Kalinacka are expected to be integral parts of the team's leadership group.
“They are the leaders of our team without a doubt,” said owner/GM Harbs Bains. “They are our go-to guys.”
Ice Chips:
The senior AA men's Lake Cowichan Appollos have just one exhibition series and it's a home-and-home series against the Nanaimo Steelmen. The Appollos play host to the Steelmen on Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena and then visit the Steelmen the following night in Nanaimo.
The Appollos play their first game of the inaugural West Coast Senior Hockey League's regular season on Sept. 27 at home against the Steelmen. Puck drop is 8 p.m.
