The Kerry Park Islanders began the 2025 VIJHL playoffs justifiably shaky. The league's top team was still grappling with the sudden loss of their assistant coach Phil Downie while at the same time being asked to pick up their game for the post season.
In the blink of an eye, the team found themselves down two games to none to the Victoria Cougars. The Isles could crumble or get to work and win four in a row. They chose the latter.
"Even though we were down 2-0, we looked at the series analytically and saw we were the more dominant team even in the games we lost," said head coach Jake Ebner. "We focused on the positives and continued to stay the course."
In Game 3, Kerry Park exploded for a 10-goal performance to win the game 10-4 and then they took Game 4 by another dominant score: 7-2. That win evened the series.
"Once we started seeing better results our confidence continued to grow and we didn’t stop," Ebner said.
The offensive juggernaut continued through Game 5 as the Islanders won 7-3 to take the series lead. Colby Robinson, Carson Brown, and Brody Lindal all scored twice while Bryce Burnett added a single in the dominating win.
Game 6 gave Kerry Park a chance to win their fourth straight and to clinch the series.
On the road at Archie Browning Arena, The Islanders won 4-2 to complete their round one mission. They'll now face the Peninsula Panthers in the South Division finals.
"It was a great series in many ways," Ebner noted. "We have thought highly about this group all season. We know Peninsula are a very good team and we need to make sure we are the hardest working team moving forward."
Round two begins with Game 1 at Kerry Park Arena on March 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Game 2 is set for March 14 at Pamorama Recreation Centre at 7:30 p.m.
Game 3 is back at Kerry Park on March 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Game 4 is set for March 17 at Panorama at 7:15 p.m.
If necessary, Games 5-7 are scheduled for March 18 at Kerry Park, March 21 at Panorama, and March 22 at Kerry Park with the puck dropping for all three games at 7:30 p.m.
